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In April 2024, the EPA issued the Carbon Pollution Standards (CPS), which limited greenhouse gas emissions from new and existing fossil fuel-fired power plants. The CPS directed states to set standards of performance for existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating power plants and further tightened New Source Performance Standards first issued in 2015.  In June of 2025, the EPA proposed to repeal all GHG emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. With that action, EPA proposed to make a finding that GHG emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants do not contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution. The EPA also proposed, as an alternative, to repeal a narrower set of requirements that includes the emission guidelines for existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating units, the carbon capture and sequestration/storage (CCS)-based standards for coal-fired steam generating units undertaking a large modification, and the CCS-based standards for new base load stationary combustion turbines.

Statement of Need:

In April 2024, EPA issued the Carbon Pollution Standards (CPS), which limited greenhouse gas emissions from new and existing fossil fuel-fired power plants. The CPS directed States to set standards of performance for existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating power plants, and further tightened new source performance standards first issued in 2015. Consistent with Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy, Executive Order 14241, Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's `Department of Government Efficiency' Deregulatory Initiative, and Executive Order 14261, Reinvigorating America's Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Amending Executive Order 14241, the EPA is revisiting these standards. On June 11, 2025, the EPA proposed to repeal greenhouse gas emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants promulgated under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Clean Air Act section 111.

Alternatives:

The EPA also proposed, as an alternative, to repeal a narrower set of requirements that includes the emission guidelines for existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating units, the carbon capture and sequestration/storage (CCS)-based standards for coal-fired steam generating units undertaking a large modification, and the CCS-based standards for new base load stationary combustion turbines.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

EPA is still evaluating the scope and associated costs and benefits for the final rule.

Risks:

EPA is still evaluating the scope and risks with a prospective rule.