EPA Repeals Rule Limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Power Plants
Christy Bowen
40 minutes agoA Biden-era power plant rule was revoked on Monday, raising concern among environmentalists. Read on for details on the rule's elimination and what it means for the environment and the energy industry.
EPA Announces Significant Repeal of Biden-Era Environmental Regulations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Monday that it is eliminating a rule that limits planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from power plants fueled by coal and natural gas. The agency also said that it is taking steps to prevent future legislation from regulating the pollution produced by power plants.
The changes are a major reversal from the policies put in place by former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama. Both of these Democratic presidents enacted legislation addressing climate change by regulating carbon dioxide and other types of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming.
Not surprisingly, environmental advocacy groups slammed the EPA's decision, claiming that the health and well-being of Americans will suffer. On the other side of the decision, the EPA said that the move will save the energy industry over $300 billion and provide new avenues for energy production. EPA Assistant Administrator Aaron Szabo said that revoking the rule will give utility companies the power to “make the best decision for the ratepayers based on cost and cost savings, instead of being required to shut down facilities."
The change is likely to face legal challenges from environmental groups. These challenges are also expected to dispute the rights of the EPA to propose rules that can prevent future White House administrations from regulating the emissions from power plants.
The latest change follows a series of EPA decisions earlier in the year that nullified previous scientific findings. This evidence had been the basis for how the U.S. regulates greenhouse gas emissions. The February action first eliminated the previous greenhouse gas emissions protocols for cars and trucks in the U.S.