ClimateJuly 4, 2026
deregulation
/ˌdiːˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən/
Definition
The removal or reduction of government rules and restrictions on a particular industry to allow for more market-driven operations.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'regula' meaning 'rule' or 'straight edge,' combined with the prefix 'de-' (to reverse) and the suffix '-ation' (action). It entered English in the mid-20th century to describe the legislative process of dismantling restrictive state oversight.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe both federal moves to dismantle environmental protections and Texas's market-based power grid, which has encouraged rapid renewable energy growth despite a lack of state-level climate targets.
Guest post: How US renewable-energy growth persists despite federal policy uncertainty
Read the full article ↗Carbon Brief