EPA repeals rules for power plants 

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new rules today, repealing Biden-administration era federal standards to control toxic pollution from coal-fired power plants and limits on power plant climate pollution.  

The limits on pollution generated by power plants would have brought the nation closer to cutting carbon emissions by 2030 and curbed carbon dioxide, mercury, and other air pollutant emissions from power plants. Coal-fired power plants emit a host of toxic pollutants, including mercury, arsenic, chromium, and lead, among other highly toxic substances.  

As power plants are the nation’s second largest contributor to climate change, today’s announcement is particularly significant for the South, whose communities bear the burden of hosting four of the country’s highest CO2-emitting power plants. Repealing the rule puts communities at risk, particularly those who are most vulnerable, including infants and children.  

“For decades, power plant operators have gotten a free pass to emit harmful air pollution, and this proposal rolls back two of the few common-sense regulations that exist,” said Gudrun Thompson, leader of SELC’s Energy Program. “These rules included necessary safeguards to curb climate pollution and protect communities from one of the country’s most significant sources of fine-particulate pollution, a dangerous air pollutant that has no safe exposure level.”