The Environmental Protection Agency issued new rules on Thursday that would require coal-fired power plants to capture smokestack emissions or shut down. These rules are part of the Biden administration’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, with a goal of eliminating carbon pollution from the electricity sector by 2035 and economy-wide by 2050. The rules also include measures to reduce toxic wastewater pollutants and safely manage coal ash in storage ponds. EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasized that the rules aim to reduce pollution, protect communities, and improve public health while supporting a transition to clean energy.
Industry groups and Republican-leaning states are likely to challenge the new rules, accusing the administration of overreach on environmental regulations and warning of potential grid reliability issues. However, environmental groups have praised the EPA’s actions as necessary to address the impacts of climate change. The power plant rule is the first federal restriction on carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal-fired power plants and will require future plants to control up to 90% of their carbon pollution. The EPA estimates that the new standards will avoid billions of metric tons of carbon pollution and provide significant climate and health benefits.
Coal plants that plan to remain open beyond 2039 will need to cut or capture 90% of their carbon dioxide emissions by 2032 under the new rules, while those set to retire by 2039 will face a less stringent standard but still have to capture some emissions. Plants that are scheduled to retire by 2032 will not be subject to the new rules. The National Mining Association has criticized the rules, accusing the EPA of undermining the reliability of the U.S. electric grid. Rich Nolan, the association’s president and CEO, has accused President Biden and other officials of ignoring the importance of coal in the nation’s energy mix.
The EPA’s new rules are part of a series of measures aimed at reducing emissions and pollution from power plants. The agency has issued at least a half-dozen rules targeting power plant emissions and wastewater pollution. These regulations are intended to provide certainty to the power industry and encourage investments in clean energy technologies. The Biden administration has made addressing climate change a priority, and these rules are a key part of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.
Overall, the new rules from the EPA represent a significant step in the administration’s efforts to combat climate change and reduce pollution from the power sector. By targeting emissions from coal-fired power plants and setting standards for future plants, the rules aim to reduce carbon pollution, protect public health, and promote cleaner energy sources. While they are likely to face challenges from industry groups and some states, environmental advocates have welcomed the regulations as crucial to addressing the urgent threats of climate change.
