Trump's administration has finalized a repeal of EPA limits on carbon emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants, reversing Biden-era standards that required up to 90% CO2 reductions. The rule was announced during a G20 energy meeting in Houston and also includes a proposed finding that the EPA lacks authority to regulate greenhouse gases from the power sector at all. The power sector accounts for roughly a quarter of US greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA says the repeal saves $310 billion in compliance costs, while critics point to unaccounted climate and health damage and have promised lawsuits. The move follows the administration's earlier decision to overturn the 2009 Endangerment Finding and withdraw from the Paris accord. Utilities and grid planners now face more uncertainty on future carbon rules. State-level policies and existing retirement plans may still push coal offline, but removing the federal backstop weakens the economic signal for carbon capture and long-term low-carbon investment.
