In a decisive move to protect affordable power for American families, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday the repeal of the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards that required coal and new natural‑gas plants to capture 90% of their smokestack emissions.
Administration says rollback saves billions
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, speaking alongside Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright at the G20 Energy Abundance meeting in Houston, said the rule “was an unworkable mandate” that threatened the nation’s power grid. The Trump administration estimates the rollback will eliminate more than $300 billion in industry compliance costs.
Industry and rural co‑ops welcome the change
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association praised the decision, calling it necessary to preserve “affordable and reliable electricity” and to keep existing power plants operating as demand for electricity surges. The association added that the Biden‑era limits on new natural‑gas plants remain in place, but the repeal removes a major barrier to maintaining a robust grid.
Critics warn of climate impact
Democratic leaders, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D‑RI), condemned the rollback as a “tragic and expensive mistake,” arguing it shifts climate‑change costs onto every family. Environmental groups are expected to file immediate legal challenges, and several blue states have signaled opposition.
EPA’s rationale
Current EPA officials contend that emissions from U.S. coal and gas‑fired power plants do not significantly affect global climate change, a view that underpins the agency’s decision to rescind the rule.
While the administration frames the repeal as a step toward regulatory efficiency and grid reliability, the debate over the balance between economic stability and environmental stewardship is likely to continue in courts and on Capitol Hill.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
