EPA eliminates Biden-era power plant greenhouse-gas emissions standards, reducing regulatory pressure on coal and fossil generation.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on Monday announced the agency has finalized the repeal of the majority of the Biden administration's greenhouse gas emissions requirements for U.S. power plants. The EPA also proposed rescinding every remaining greenhouse gas emissions standard for the power sector.

The EPA justified the repeal of most provisions of the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units by asserting it does not have the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate power plant greenhouse gases for the purpose of addressing climate change. The agency points to the Trump administration's repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding and the U.S. Supreme Court's Loper Lights decision as the basis for its repeal and its plans to rescind all other greenhouse gas emissions regulations. "Models continue to show that GHG emissions from power plants have no material impact on global climate change," the EPA stated in its press release.

This position contradicts scientific evidence published by multiple branches of the U.S. government and leading academic institutions worldwide. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, "human activities (primarily the human burning of fossil fuels) have warmed Earth's surface and its ocean basins, which in turn have continued to impact Earth's climate."

The power industry largely welcomed the announcement. Rachael Marsh, chief legal officer at the Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned utilities, said the group supported the repeal of the carbon capture and storage-based standards. "In regard to EPA's new proposed rule, we strongly believe that regulatory certainty is helpful as we plan for long-term investments that support grid reliability," Marsh said. "We will continue partnering with EPA on a durable and achievable regulatory framework that is cost effective for customers and supports the investments needed to meet growing electricity demand."

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson called the Biden-era rules limiting emissions "unlawful, unrealistic and unachievable." He emphasized that as demand for electricity skyrockets, America's electric grid needs every available source of power. "Electric cooperatives have plans to invest nearly $29 billion to bring more than 20 gigawatts of new natural gas generation online—enough energy to power 17 million American homes, provided those plants can run at full capacity."

Michelle Bloodworth, CEO of America's Power, which represents the coal industry, also supported the Trump administration's actions. She argued that "the Carbon Rule, in addition to being illegal, would have left electricity providers with just two options: shutter their coal power plants by 2032 or comply with unrealistic carbon standards, such as requiring carbon capture and storage technology that is exorbitantly expensive and not adequately demonstrated."

Environmental advocates and local officials pushed back sharply on the repeal. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong vowed legal action: "We've fought every one of these reckless rollbacks, and we're ready to sue again now to protect our health and safety."

Climate Mayors Executive Director Kate Wright criticized the EPA's direction. "EPA has a responsibility to work alongside local leaders to protect Americans' health, not eliminate the safeguards that protect families from deadly toxins," she said. "While mayors continue to advance local initiatives to protect residents, the EPA is moving backwards."

The repeal of the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. The EPA will hold a public hearing and a 45-day public comment period on its proposed action to rescind remaining emissions standards.