US Scraps Climate Pollution Limits on Power Plants

The move reverses nearly two decades of federal climate policy, which began when the Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that the EPA must regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Zeldin argues that the Biden rules exceeded the agency's legal authority and set impossible targets designed to force plants to close. The EPA estimates the repeal will save the industry $310 billion in compliance costs and maintains that emissions from US power plants have no meaningful impact on global climate change. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said coal and gas keep the grid stable "regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining", while the coal industry points to surging electricity demand from data centres and artificial intelligence. Power plants, however, produce roughly a quarter of the nation's climate pollution, second only to transport.

The EPA expects coal use for electricity to rise more than tenfold, and Zeldin has promised lower power bills. Environmental and health groups, however, warn of serious consequences. An Associated Press analysis estimated that the rules could prevent around 30,000 deaths and save $275 billion every year by reducing smog, mercury and tiny particles that damage the lungs, while the repeal will also mean more planet-warming emissions. Vickie Patton of the Environmental Defense Fund said the rollback would carry "enormous costs" for families already facing record heat and stronger storms. Several groups have vowed to challenge the decision in court, meaning the final outcome may ultimately be decided by judges.