US scraps limits on emissions from coal and gas power plants, EPA says it will save billions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Trump administration, announced on September 14, 2026, the repeal of the majority of the Biden administration's greenhouse gas emission limits for coal and gas power plants. This action, taken at the G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial in Houston, also included a proposal to rescind all remaining greenhouse gas standards for the power sector. The EPA asserted that these moves would save American consumers over $310 billion, by removing regulations that it deemed exceeded the agency's authority under the Clean Air Act and were an attempt to force power plants to retire rather than meet standards.

The repealed regulations, often referred to as the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards, had aimed to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new gas and existing coal facilities. According to the EPA, this deregulation is intended to unleash the full potential of America's energy resources, including coal and natural gas, and ensure reliable and affordable baseload power. Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. power plants have no material impact on global climate change and are not significant contributors to dangerous pollution.

Critics, including environmental groups and former Biden administration officials, have expressed significant concerns, warning that the rollback could lead to increased carbon emissions and have detrimental effects on public health. The Biden-era rules were projected to prevent premature deaths and asthma attacks through improved air quality. This reversal marks a substantial departure from previous administrations' efforts to address climate change and is expected to face legal challenges.