The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled a proposal to repeal existing limits on greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants from fossil fuel-powered electric plants across the country.
This proposal is part of a broader strategy to revise or reverse various environmental policies established in recent years. If implemented in its current form, the change would remove regulations targeting the nation’s second-largest source of climate-related emissions, after transportation.
According to the EPA, emissions from U.S. power plants represent a small portion of global greenhouse gas output and have been declining over time. The agency argues that further reductions would have a minimal effect on public health.
The proposed rule states that emissions from these facilities “do not significantly contribute to dangerous air pollution.”
The current EPA administrator stated that the administration aims to protect the environment while also promoting economic development, emphasizing the role of energy production in supporting national growth and energy security.
The proposal seeks to reverse previously established requirements for coal-fired and new natural gas power plants to reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly beginning in the 2030s. Human-induced carbon dioxide emissions are a major contributor to global warming.
Another significant aspect of the plan is the intent to overturn the 2009 “endangerment finding,” which classified greenhouse gases as harmful to public health and welfare. Removing this designation could make it easier to modify or repeal other climate-related rules.
Additionally, the plan includes the weakening of regulations limiting pollutants such as mercury—a neurotoxin that can impact brain development, particularly in children. Coal-fired power plants are currently the largest source of mercury emissions in the country.
Reactions to the proposal have varied. Some stakeholders believe that regulatory changes are necessary to support energy production, while others caution that these rollbacks may pose risks to air quality, climate stability, and public health.
The proposal is subject to a formal review process and is expected to face legal scrutiny before potentially being finalized by the end of the year.
