US EPA repeals GHG emission regulations for power plants

15 September 2026

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule that repeals most provisions of the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards for GHG emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGU). Additionally, the EPA issued a supplemental proposal to rescind the GHG findings for fossil fuel-fired power plants and to repeal all GHG emission regulations for power plants.

The 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards repealed by the final rule required that existing, modified, and future fossil fuel-fired power plants reduce GHG emissions through the use of specific technologies, including carbon capture and storage (CCS). The EPA has argued that the Carbon Pollution Standards required control technologies that are not adequately demonstrated, effectively forcing plants to retire rather than setting standards they could actually meet.

The EPA projects the repeal of the GHG standards will result in savings of $310 billion. The action has been finalized at a time the United States is facing a major electricity generation shortfall and rising electricity prices.

The finalized rule does not repeal all GHG emission requirements for power plants—for instance, certain emission and efficiency rules for natural gas-fired power plants still remain effective. The supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking issued by the EPA would find that the Clean Air Act (CAA) does not give the EPA the authority to regulate GHG emissions from power plants and would rescind all GHG emission requirements for fossil fuel-fired EGUs issued under CAA Section 111.

The EPA actions follow the repeal of the 2009 GHG Endangerment Finding, which also resulted in the elimination of all US federal GHG emission standards for vehicles and engines.

Source: US EPA