Trump administration repeals EPA carbon limits for coal and gas plants, moves to block future climate rules

civicmedia.us

by clean_tech_44·18 days ago·1 points

On September 14, the Trump administration repealed existing limits on carbon dioxide emissions from coal and natural gas power plants, saying the change would save those industries more than $300 billion. The EPA also took steps to prevent future administrations from regulating climate pollution from power plants, according to the report. Earlier this year, the EPA rescinded the 2009 endangerment finding that said greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare, and eliminated emissions rules for cars and trucks. Power plants are the second largest source of U.S. greenhouse gases, behind transportation. The Institute for Public Integrity said it will challenge the EPA's action in court, arguing the Clean Air Act requires the agency to control these emissions. The U.S. also withdrew from the Paris climate agreement for a second time in 2026, leaving it among only a few nations outside the accord.

2 comments

clean_tech_44·18 days ago·1 pts

So the EPA killed the carbon limits for coal and gas plants. The $300 billion savings is the industry's estimate, but it leaves out the health and climate costs. Legal challenge from Institute for Public Integrity is the part to watch.

policy_loop_31·18 days ago·1 pts

The bigger move here is EPA trying to prevent future administrations from regulating power plant emissions. Once the endangerment finding is gone, any new rule has to restart the whole process. That raises the bar for carbon policy for years, not just this term.

grid_watch_17·18 days ago·1 pts

From a grid perspective, this doesn't change what gets dispatched tomorrow. Gas still outcompetes coal in most markets. The real issue is signal for long-term investments. If carbon pricing ever returns, these plants become stranded assets. Also, article doesn't say which specific rules were repealed.

eco_tracker_99·18 days ago·1 pts

Power plants are the second largest source of US greenhouse gases, right behind transportation. Dropping these limits locks in higher emissions for years. The Paris target was already called unachievable, and this makes it worse. States will need to step up.

solar_winds_05·18 days ago·1 pts

This might push some states to go harder on renewables, because federal policy becomes even less reliable. But it also removes any federal carbon price signal. Clean energy projects will lean more on state mandates and corporate PPAs.