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US Removes Climate Pollution Rules for Power Plants

natureSep 20, 2026·300 words·3 min read

On Monday, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) removed most of the rules limiting greenhouse gases from power plants burning coal and gas. The rules were introduced in 2024 under President Joe Biden. They would have forced existing coal plants and new gas plants to cut their carbon dioxide emissions sharply from the 2030s, and coal plants would have had to capture the pollution from their chimneys or close.

Zeldin says Biden's rules went too far and tried to close power plants. The EPA says the change will save the industry $310 billion. It also says US power plants do not change the world's climate very much. Energy Secretary Chris Wright says coal and gas give the country steady electricity. But power plants make about a quarter of the country's climate pollution.

The EPA expects much more coal to be used for electricity, and Zeldin promises lower bills. Environmental groups are worried. A study by the Associated Press news agency says the rules could stop about 30,000 deaths every year. Without the rules, there will be more dirty air and more planet-warming gases. Several groups plan to go to court to stop the decision.

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