Trump vows to ax power plant rule, noncommittal on EV tax credit

During a campaign stop in Pennsylvania on Monday, former President Trump said he’d eliminate the Biden administration’s power plant rule but was noncommittal about his position on a tax credit for electric vehicles. 

Speaking to the crowd in York, Pa., Trump accused his presidential opponent, Vice President Harris, of being on a “regulatory jihad to shut down power plants all across America.”

“I am announcing today that when I return to the White House, I will end this anti-American-energy crusade and terminate Kamala’s so-called Power Plant Rule,” he added.

The Biden administration issued several rules earlier this year aimed at cutting planet-warming emissions and toxic pollution from power plants. Actions taken by the administration are expected to accelerate an ongoing shift away from coal power. 

During his time in the White House, Trump issued significantly less stringent rules for power plants. 

However, the former president didn’t take as tough a position on a tax credit to incentivize the purchase of electric vehicles. 

Asked about the tax credit Monday by Reuters, Trump said, "I'm not making any final decisions on it."

 "I'm a big fan of electric cars, but I'm a fan of gasoline-propelled cars, and also hybrids and whatever else happens to come along," he added. 

While eliminating a tax credit would require an act of Congress, if Trump decides he’d like to uphold the credit, that would mark a shift. During his prior administration, the White House proposed to eliminate the incentive. 

While Trump still wants to get rid of the Biden administration’s regulations pushing the market toward more electric cars, he has taken a softer tone on the vehicles after receiving the endorsement of Tesla’s Elon Musk. 

Trump also told Reuters he would consider naming Musk to a role in his administration. 

During his campaign speech Monday, Trump additionally endorsed rapidly approving energy projects and particularly nuclear energy.

"I will issue rapid approvals for new energy infrastructure — and we will embrace all forms of energy, including nuclear. ... We will make a historic commitment to bringing advanced small modular nuclear reactors online,” he said. 

Brett Samuels contributed.