President Trump has canceled a trip to Ohio where he had planned to sign a bill into law repealing one of President Obama’s midnight regulations on the coal industry.
The Trump signing ceremony would have marked the first real victory for the coal industry under the Trump administration, with the president fulfilling his promise of repealing regulations that he blamed for job losses.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Monday that congressional officials confirmed that Trump’s planned visit later this week has been scrapped.
The Vindicator newspaper, based in Youngstown, Ohio, reported Saturday that it was informed of the visit and subsequent cancellation. Trump was scheduled to land at a Youngstown airport. From there, he was scheduled to deliver remarks and sign the legislation in the city of Vienna.
Congress passed the bill, called a resolution of disapproval, this month. It repeals the Stream Protection Rule under powers given to Congress under the Congressional Review Act.
The regulation was rushed out during the last days of the Obama administration, leveling new regulations meant to prevent coal-mining runoff from polluting waterways.
Critics of the rule say it overstepped states’ authority by imposing unnecessary regulations on coal operations that would increase cost and lead to job losses.
