The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to repeal all “greenhouse gas” emissions standards for the power sector to keep coal plants open and save consumers money. This is part of the agency’s plans to roll back dozens of environmental regulations as announced by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in March.
EPA Repeal Proposal
On June 11, the EPA announced a proposal to repeal the 2015 emissions standards for new fossil fuel-fired power plants under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), issued during the Obama-Biden Administration, as well as the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule for new and existing fossil fuel-fired power plants, issued under the Biden-Harris Administration.
The EPA said that the Biden-era regulations have increased costs at coal-, oil-, and gas-fired power plants, which has resulted in higher energy prices for consumers. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated, “Affordable, reliable electricity is key to the American dream and a natural byproduct of national energy dominance.” Zeldin added, “According to many, the primary purpose of these Biden-Harris administration regulations was to destroy industries that didn’t align with their narrow-minded climate change zealotry. Together, these rules have been criticized as being designed to regulate coal, oil and gas out of existence.”
The Trump administration has voiced its support for driving down consumer energy costs, partly by doubling down on fossil fuel output and reducing restrictions on coal, oil, and gas production. The proposed repeal of the rules supports President Donald Trump’s pledge to “unleash American energy.”
The EPA said in its proposal that coal and gas plants are essential for domestic manufacturing and establishing the U.S. as a global artificial intelligence hub. It criticizes the Obama and Biden administrations for placing restrictions on fossil fuel power plants and driving up consumer energy costs.
The EPA said that “greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants do not contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution within the meaning of the statute.” The agency assured consumers that “Unlike other air pollutants with a regional or local impact, the targeted emissions are global in nature. As a result, any potential public health harms have not been accurately attributed to emissions from the U.S. power sector.”
Repealing the specific regulations could save the power sector $19 billion in regulatory costs over two decades beginning in 2026, or around $1.2 billion a year, according to the EPA.
Widespread Criticism of the Proposed Repeal
Former President Joe Biden introduced new regulations to fossil fuel power plants to address climate change and improve conditions in areas with high levels of industrial pollution, which statistically overwhelmingly affect low-income and majority Black or Hispanic communities. Then-EPA head Michael Regan said the introduction of power plant rules would help decrease pollution and improve public health while supporting a reliable, long-term supply of electricity.
Despite assurances from the EPA that scrapping the Biden-era regulations would not spur higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions, several sectoral experts have responded with concerns about the move.
Dr Lisa Patel, the executive director of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health, called the new EPA proposal “yet another in a series of attacks” by the Trump administration on the nation’s “health, our children, our climate and the basic idea of clean air and water.”
Meanwhile, several climate lawyers have said the proposal is unlawful and will likely prompt climate organizations to take legal action. “If EPA finalizes a slapdash effort to repeal those rules, we’ll see them in court,” said Manish Bapna, the president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Others are concerned that rolling back the rules on power plants could open the door to weakening regulations in other industrial sectors.
Contrary to the EPA pledge to save consumers money, an assessment by the Associated Press showed that EPA-targeted rules could prevent an estimated 30,000 deaths and save $275 billion each year they are in effect. Meanwhile, a study published in January suggested that the Biden-era rules could reduce U.S. power sector carbon emissions by between 73% and 86% by 2040, compared to 2005 levels, greater than the forecast reduction of between 60% to 83% without the rules. Several assessments suggest that even a partial rollback of the rules could lead to more pollutants such as smog, mercury and lead.
While many are concerned by the EPA’s recent announcement, any changes to the existing rules on power plants must go through a federal rulemaking process, which can take several years and is subject to public comment and scientific justification. Nevertheless, any form of repeal of the EPA power plant regulations could result in higher greenhouse gas emissions, which would have a negative knock-on effect on public health and the environment and would undo Biden-era efforts to combat climate change.
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