Okay, here’s a rewritten version of the article, aiming for a more concise, impactful, and news-focused tone, suitable for a press release. I’ve focused on clarity, directness, and highlighting the key concerns. I’ve also added a date to the “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE” section to reflect the prompt’s request for a 2025 date.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2025
CONTACT
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (276) 289-1018, dan@appvoices.org
Trump Administration Announces Sweeping Rollback of Environmental Protections to Benefit Coal Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, the Trump administration announced a series of actions designed to prop up the struggling coal industry, despite the availability of cheaper, cleaner energy alternatives. These actions prioritize industry profits over public health and environmental protection.
Key announcements include:
- EPA Water Pollution Rollback: delaying and reconsidering critical “effluent limitations guidelines” for steam electric power plants, allowing continued discharge of harmful pollutants like mercury, arsenic, and selenium into waterways.
- EPA Air Pollution Rollback: Initiating a review of regional haze rules, weakening limits on pollutants that cause respiratory problems and premature death.
- DOE Funding for Aging Coal Plants: Committing hundreds of millions of dollars to keep inefficient and expensive coal plants operating, even as cleaner energy sources are readily available.
- Expanded Coal Leasing: Implementing provisions of the “One Big Gorgeous Bill Act” to lower coal royalty rates and open 13.1 million acres of federal land to coal leasing.
“These actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the health and safety of communities near coal mines and power plants,” saeid Chelsea Barnes, Director of Government Affairs and Strategy. “The administration is sacrificing public well-being to enrich coal barons and billionaires.”
“This is a waste of taxpayer money,” added Ridge Graham, North Carolina Program Manager. “Investing in outdated coal plants will only drive up electricity bills and delay the transition to a cleaner,more affordable energy future.”
Key Changes and Why:
* Stronger Headline: More direct and impactful.
* Concise Introduction: Gets straight to the point.
* Bulleted List: Makes the key announcements easily scannable for journalists.
* Location: Added Washington, D.C.for context.
* combined/Streamlined Language: Removed some repetitive phrasing.
* bolded Key Phrases: Highlights importent data.
* Direct Quotes: Kept the powerful quotes from Barnes and graham.
* Removed needless introductory phrases: Phrases like “Further” and “Lastly” were removed for a more direct flow.
* Focus on Impact: Emphasized the consequences of the actions (public health, cost to taxpayers).
* Date: Updated the date to September 29, 2025.
This revised version is designed to be more effective as a press release, quickly conveying the core message to media outlets and the public. It’s more focused on the what and why of the announcements, and less on simply recounting them.