EPA to regulate power plants emissions for 1st time

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to announce on Thursday a new proposal regulating emissions from power plants for the first time.

According to the EPA, most coal plants will have to cut or capture nearly all their carbon emissions by 2038. The EPA is only requiring emissions reduction, while leaving the freedom of the exact applied measures to the companies.

It is expected, however, some coal power plants will retire as a result of this rule. The new rule is expected to go into effect in 2030, and will apply to all new natural gas plants.

Additionally, the rule will also include all new coal-burning facilities and some existing natural gas power plants.

Michael Regan, EPA Administrator said the new regulation would “require ambitious reductions in carbon pollution based on proven and cost-effective control technologies…”

The power sector produced 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. Power plants emissions and pollutants constitute the second-largest source of emissions in the country.