The Trump administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have announced the repeal of rules limiting greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel power plants. This action, described as the largest power sector deregulation action ever, effectively ends the federal effort to regulate the largest industrial sources of greenhouse gases in the U.S.
The move overturns a 2024 Biden administration rule requiring power plants to control planet-warming pollution and dismantles previous regulations from the Obama and Biden administrations. It specifically unwinds policies designed to crack down on pollution from coal and newly built natural-gas-fired power plants.
According to the administration, these rollbacks fulfill President Donald Trump’s repeated pledge to unleash American energy. The EPA says the move will reduce energy prices and could save power plants more than $300 billion.
Environmental groups say this significant climate rollback will impact the climate and public health. While the administration is moving to prevent future presidents from reimposing emission limits, the rule is expected to face immediate legal challenges.