Trump's EPA reportedly set to scrap carbon pollution rules for power plants

The US Environmental Protection Agency is reportedly preparing to formally repeal carbon pollution standards for coal- and gas-fired power plants, according to media reports citing anonymous sources. Bloomberg News reported on Sunday that the announcement could come as early as Monday, coinciding with the G20 energy ministers' meeting in Houston, Texas.

According to the New York Times, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin is expected to unveil the rollback, which would eliminate rules aimed at curbing the greenhouse gases released from burning oil and gas. Should the move withstand the legal challenges it is almost certain to face, it could constrain the ability of future administrations to regulate climate-warming emissions from the power sector.

Environmental organizations have strongly criticized the anticipated decision. Holly Bender, chief program officer at the Sierra Club, said her organization would fight the proposal through the courts, in Congress, and in communities nationwide, calling it reckless and dangerous. She argued that while wildfires and floods devastate communities and households struggle with rising electricity and insurance costs, the administration is effectively granting the fossil fuel industry permission to keep polluting.

Last year, the Trump administration began the process of undoing Biden-era rules that limited emissions of carbon dioxide, mercury and other pollutants from power plants. This week, the EPA is finalizing part of that original proposal and is also expected to put forward a separate rule that would repeal the federal finding that greenhouse gases from power plants pose a danger.

The emissions standards introduced under Biden were projected to cut greenhouse gas output by 1 billion metric tons by 2047. The power sector accounts for nearly a quarter of all US greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA did not respond to a request for comment made outside business hours.