EPA moves to repeal Biden-era power plant emission rules, citing authority limits

The US Environmental Protection Agency announced it is scrapping regulations that limited pollution from coal and gas power plants, saying the Biden-era rules exceeded the agency’s authority and pushed technologies that effectively forced plant retirements.

EPA chief Lee Zeldin said the rollback will protect affordable and reliable energy supplies and lower costs across transportation, heating, utilities, farming and manufacturing while strengthening national security. The agency asserted that removing the rules would save $310bn and reduce energy prices.

The EPA statement said the prior regulations required control technologies “not adequately demonstrated,” and that remaining safeguards against hazardous air pollutants would continue to protect human health. The agency also indicated it seeks to eliminate other greenhouse gas rules for the power sector.

Environmental groups warned the change could harm public health and the climate. Nathaniel Keohane, president of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, said repealing carbon pollution standards for power plants ignored science and economics and represented a step backward. The EPA responded that potential public health harms were too uncertain or remote to tie specifically to the US power sector.

The US is the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China, and the power sector accounts for about a quarter of US emissions—roughly 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent per year under the latest estimates. Power sector emissions have generally declined over recent decades, with a slight uptick last year as coal use fell overall.

The decision follows earlier moves by the administration to roll back climate-related policies, including a reversal of an Obama-era scientific finding on greenhouse gases. The 2022 Supreme Court ruling that limited EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gases across states was cited as a backdrop to current agency actions.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The EPA concluded the Biden-era power plant rules exceeded its statutory authority and relied on control technologies it considered inadequately demonstrated. The agency anticipates cost savings of $310bn and lower energy prices, while stating hazardous air pollutant safeguards will remain. Critics argue the repeal removes standards intended to cut carbon emissions and prevent premature deaths.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• EPA announced repeal of Biden-era power plant emission rules, citing authority limits and technology concerns
• Agency projects $310bn in savings and lower energy prices while retaining hazardous air pollutant safeguards
• Power sector represents about a quarter of US emissions, near 1.5 billion tonnes CO2-equivalent annually