It might be too little too late, but U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration are trying to make good on his campaign promises to protect American coal plants or, at the very least, to roll back regulations enacted by the previous administration. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt officially proposed on Oct. 10 to repeal the Clean Power Plan (CPP). The CPP was officially rolled out by former President Barack Obama's administration in 2015, with the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

Those opposed argued that the plan overstepped the EPA's power to regulate the emissions of individual plants. However, emission levels have already fallen in many areas and are likely to continue being pushed down by more forceful factors — such as technology and economics — anyway.

Pruitt's steps to repeal the CPP come as no surprise. Trump telegraphed his desire to do so throughout his campaign, after taking office, and by executive order. Repealing the CPP falls directly in line with the administration's overarching goal to reduce regulations across the board. By removing the regulation, the Trump administration hopes to prevent coal plants from being legislated out of existence and to foster economic growth through limited regulation.

But the Trump administration is fighting an uphill and unnecessary battle against economics and technology by fighting the CPP. Sustained low natural gas prices make it a more attractive option for utility companies than coal, even without a mandate from the EPA. Beyond that, renewable energy technologies are improving and costs continue to fall.

Controversy over the CPP meant it never went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay. Even though the policy was never enacted, emissions reductions from power companies are still expected to approach, or even meet, the reduction goals it outlined. In addition, individual coal plants are still being shuttered for economic reasons, despite actions by the administration to save them.

And even if the Trump administration is successful in repealing the CPP, which is not guaranteed, replacing it will be difficult. Whatever form the new regulation (or lack thereof) takes, it's likely to face similar court battles to the CPP. Numerous organizations and states have already indicated their intention to challenge the policy. As those court battles rage, utility companies will continue to make decisions based on other factors. The economics of those decisions point away from coal and toward power production strategies with lower emissions. U.S. federal policy will continue to look inward, and individual states or companies will defend their own interests when they run contrary to Washington.