4 hrs ago
EPA Repeals Biden Power Plant Carbon Limits, Blocks Future Rules
The U.S. government wants to cancel rules that made some power plants reduce carbon pollution.
These rules applied mainly to coal and natural-gas power plants.
The Environmental Protection Agency says removing them will make it easier to build more electricity-producing facilities.
Officials also say the change will save power companies money.
The former Biden administration said its rules would have produced large benefits by reducing pollution.
Environmental groups disagree and say more pollution could harm people and the environment.
Coal supporters say the decision could help coal-fired electricity remain available.
Some states can still keep their own rules for reducing emissions from power plants.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to repeal Joe Biden’s carbon-emission limits for coal- and gas-fired power plants.
The EPA also proposed rescinding remaining greenhouse-gas requirements and preventing future federal climate regulations for the power sector.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the changes would reduce regulatory barriers and help meet rapidly increasing electricity demand.
The agency estimated the repeal would save power companies $370 million in compliance costs, while Biden’s EPA had estimated $370 billion in net benefits from the rules.
Environmental advocates warned that repealing the rules could increase pollution, heat-related deaths, storm damage and wildfire impacts; state emissions rules would remain in place.
- Who
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, President Donald Trump’s administration, former President Joe Biden’s administration, utilities and environmental advocates.
- What
- The EPA announced plans to repeal Biden-era carbon limits for power plants and proposed preventing future federal greenhouse-gas regulations targeting the sector.
- Where
- Houston, United States.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday during a G20 energy ministers’ gathering taking place this week.
- Why
- The Trump administration says the changes will reduce regulatory barriers, support energy production and help meet sharply increasing electricity demand.
Supporters of the repeal
Critics of the repeal
Regulation and energy construction
Supporters of the repeal
The Trump administration says the rules created unnecessary barriers and that removing them will enable construction of generating infrastructure needed for rising electricity demand.
Critics of the repeal
Environmental and public-health advocates say eliminating federal limits will allow more pollution and create significant environmental and health harms.
Costs and benefits
Supporters of the repeal
The EPA says repealing the standards will save the power industry $370 million in direct compliance costs.
Critics of the repeal
Biden’s EPA estimated the standards would provide $370 billion in net benefits, while critics say the repeal ignores the costs of climate and pollution damage.
Role of coal
Supporters of the repeal
Energy officials say the changes will support coal-fired electricity, describing coal as reliable, affordable and secure.
Critics of the repeal
The article notes that coal-fired power had been declining because natural gas and renewable energy were cheaper, and the utility industry said it wants regulatory certainty while welcoming repeal of the carbon-capture standards.
Key facts
- Agency action
- The EPA announced a repeal of Biden’s carbon-emission limits and proposed rescinding remaining greenhouse-gas requirements for power plants.
- Affected facilities
- The measures concern coal-fired power plants and natural-gas-fired generating facilities.
- EPA-estimated savings
- EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the repeal would save the industry $370 million in direct compliance costs.
- Biden-era estimate
- Biden’s EPA estimated that its power-plant rule would deliver $370 billion in net benefits and reduce emissions by 1 billion metric tons by 2047.
- Electricity-sector emissions
- The electricity sector produces nearly one-quarter of U.S. greenhouse-gas pollution and is the country’s second-largest emitting sector after transportation.
- Recent emissions change
- U.S. power-sector emissions rose by 4% last year, according to the Energy Information Administration.
- State authority
- Utilities will still face emissions-reduction requirements in some states.
Quotes
Maggie Coulter
Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute
“Denying the existence of a quarter of the country’s climate pollution is utterly reckless. It will lead to more lost lives and suffering from intense heatwaves, drastic storms and destructive wildfires, just like those we’ve seen this summer.”
deccanchronicle.com
“President Trump ended the war on beautiful, clean coal. Coal is reliable, affordable, secure.”
deccanchronicle.com
Lee Zeldin
Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
“Americans have been demanding more common sense at federal agencies under President Trump's leadership. That means cutting red tape so we can build new power-generating infrastructure.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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