POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsKPBS Public MediaSeptember 14, 2026San Diego County

Trump's EPA repeals greenhouse gas emission limits on fossil fuel power plants

Photo: KPBS Public Media

The Trump administration is repealing greenhouse gas emission limits on the nation's fossil fuel-fired power plants, eliminating rules from the Biden administration that required coal and new natural gas plants to reduce carbon dioxide pollution. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the action in Houston, stating it is the largest deregulatory action of the U.S. power sector in history. Environmental groups stated they plan to challenge the decision in court.

Environmental Protection AgencyClimate ChangeFossil FuelsRegulationsEnergy
Read the full story at KPBS Public Media

Why It Matters

The repeal eliminates mandatory carbon dioxide reduction requirements for existing coal and new natural gas power plants, shifting federal policy on power sector emissions and prompting legal challenges from environmental organizations.

Key Facts

  • The Trump administration is repealing greenhouse gas emission limits on fossil fuel-fired power plants.
  • EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin called the action the largest deregulatory action of the U.S. power sector in history.
  • The action eliminates Biden-era rules that required existing coal and new natural gas plants to reduce carbon dioxide pollution starting in the 2030s.
  • The EPA is also proposing to rescind all remaining greenhouse gas emissions standards for power plants.
  • EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that previous climate pollution rules led to higher energy prices and prevented the country from reaching its energy potential.
  • Environmental groups plan to challenge the repeal decision in court.
  • The Supreme Court's 2007 Massachusetts v. EPA decision concluded that the EPA is required to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.
  • The Obama administration's 2014 Clean Power Plan aimed to cut power plant carbon dioxide emissions by 32% from 2005 levels by 2030.
  • In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court restricted the EPA's options for regulating power plant emissions without specific congressional authorization.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationEnvironmental Protection Agency“Federal agency implementing the deregulatory action.”PersonGudrun Thompson“Senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center.”OrganizationG20 Energy Summit“Summit hosted in Houston where Zeldin made remarks.”OrganizationTrump administration“Executing the repeal of power plant emissions limits.”OrganizationBiden administration“Prior administration that finalized carbon reduction rules.”OrganizationLazard“Financial services firm reporting on solar and wind project costs.”PersonLee Zeldin“EPA Administrator who announced the repeal in Houston.”OrganizationObama administration“Prior administration that proposed the Clean Power Plan.”OrganizationSouthern Environmental Law Center“Represented by senior attorney Gudrun Thompson.”PersonMichael Gerrard“Columbia University law professor and director of the Sabin Center for Climate C”OrganizationSupreme Court“Issued past rulings regarding EPA authority and greenhouse gases.”OrganizationSabin Center for Climate Change Law“Directed by Michael Gerrard.”