President Donald Trump has decided to restore the environmental regulations from his first term and has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency EPA, to eliminate the water consumption limits for appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers. The restrictions on the use of less efficient light bulbs will also be removed, marking a return to previous policies regarding energy consumption. According to the magnate, these changes will allow consumers more freedom of choice without the constraints imposed by the latest environmental regulations.
The decision comes just hours after signing an executive order that promotes the use of straws and cancels plans to reduce single-use plastic. With this move, the GOP leader aims to dismantle the regulations introduced during the Biden administration, which had imposed new energy efficiency standards and restrictions on the use of synthetic materials. The previous policies aimed to reduce environmental impact and promote more sustainable resource use, but they were criticized by some industries for imposing additional costs on producers and restrictions on consumers.
Trump communicated the changes through a post on social media, directing EPA Secretary Lee Zeldin to immediately implement a return to the previous standards, which he called “common-sense.” The politician also expressed excitement about signing the necessary measures to formalize the change and emphasized that these rules represent a step toward less invasive regulation for citizens and businesses.
The measures adopted by the Democrats had faced opposition from conservatives, who had challenged them in court, arguing that the regulations included excessive constraints without real environmental benefits.
With the restoration of the previous rules, a new chapter in the debate over environmental policies opens, with significant implications for the country’s future sustainability.
