Trump Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Repeals Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Rules

On September 14, 2026, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin finalized the repeal of most of the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards that limited greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants. The agency also issued a supplemental proposal to rescind all remaining GHG standards for the power sector. The final rule takes effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register; a public hearing will be held 15 days after publication, followed by a 45-day comment period.

Latin TimesEPA Issues Final Rule Repealing Most 2024 Power Plant GHG Standards and a Proposal That Would Eliminate the Remaining Power Plant GHG Standards SmartCitiesDiveGroups cite huge health costs from EPA’s power plant GHG rollback, vow to sue What to know as EPA announces repeal of power plant emissions limits EPA Will Remove Carbon Dioxide Limits on Power Plants EPA Poised to Repeal Carbon Rules for Coal, Gas Power Plants

The 2009 EPA “endangerment finding” declared that carbon dioxide and other GHGs threaten public health, providing the legal basis for climate regulation under the Clean Air Act. Supreme Court decisions in *Massachusetts v. EPA* (2007) and *Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo* reinforced that authority. The 2024 rule required existing coal plants and new natural-gas units to capture 90 % of their carbon emissions or retire, projecting large health and climate benefits. A 2022 Supreme Court ruling limited the EPA’s ability to impose economy-wide mandates, prompting the agency to craft plant-specific standards that the Trump administration now argues exceed statutory authority.

EPA Issues Final Rule Repealing Most 2024 Power Plant GHG Standards and a Proposal That Would Eliminate the Remaining Power Plant GHG Standards SmartCitiesDiveCNBCEPA Poised to Repeal Carbon Rules for Coal, Gas Power Plants NPRLatin Times

• EPA estimates the repeal will save $310 billion for the power industry; the supplemental proposal adds $370 million in compliance-cost savings.

EPA Issues Final Rule Repealing Most 2024 Power Plant GHG Standards and a Proposal That Would Eliminate the Remaining Power Plant GHG Standards

• The 2024 rule was projected to cut 1.38 billion metric tons of CO2 through 2047 and prevent up to 1,200 premature deaths in 2035.

EPA Will Remove Carbon Dioxide Limits on Power Plants

• The Environmental Defense Fund warns the rollback could create $1.0 trillion in health costs and >80,000 additional premature deaths through 2047.

Trump EPA rolls back power plant climate rule

• Power plants supply roughly 25 % of U.S. GHG emissions, the second-largest source after transportation.

What to know as EPA announces repeal of power plant emissions limits

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the action will “ensure reliable electricity generation” as demand from data centers and AI grows.

EPA announces rollback of climate pollution rules for power plants

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson praised the move, saying it removes “unlawful, unrealistic and unachievable” standards and protects grid reliability.

UtilityDive

Environmental Defense Fund general counsel Vickie Patton warned that “tearing down our national protections against climate pollution from power plants will have enormous costs for the health, safety and well-being of families across the country.” Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and Climate Mayors executive director Kate Wright announced intent to sue, citing the agency’s duty to safeguard public health.

Latin Times

• Economic impact: EPA’s $310 billion savings contrast sharply with EDF’s projection of $1.0 trillion in added health costs.

Latin Times

• Mortality estimates: EPA projected 1,200 premature deaths avoided in 2035, while EDF estimates >80,000 additional deaths through 2047 if the rules are removed.

Groups cite huge health costs from EPA’s power plant GHG rollback, vow to sue

These divergent assessments highlight the need for further scientific and economic analysis.

Groups cite huge health costs from EPA’s power plant GHG rollback, vow to sue

• “For over 15 years, the Obama and Biden administrations implemented a war on coal to destroy reliable and affordable energy. The Trump Administration has come in to protect American energy and to make sure you can afford to keep the lights on,” — Lee Zeldin, protection agency administrator

CNN

• “Tearing down our national protections against climate pollution from power plants will have enormous costs for the health, safety and well-being of families across the country,” — Vickie Patton

EPA to eliminate rule that limits greenhouse gas emissions from power plants

• “The Sierra Club will fight back against this reckless and dangerous proposal with everything we have in the courts, in Congress, and in communities across the country,” — Holly Bender, Sierra Club chief program officer

The Guardian

• “Any potential public health harms are too uncertain, conjectural, remote, and convoluted to tie specifically to the US power sector.” — Lee Zeldin, protection agency administrator

BBC News