The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is drafting a new proposal to eliminate federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions from coal and natural gas-fired power plants. The plan, currently under interagency review, reflects a broader rollback of climate policies under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
An EPA spokesperson said the previous administration’s rules were seen as overreaching and harmful to affordable, reliable energy. The agency is now reconsidering its approach, stating that emissions from fossil fuel plants do not significantly contribute to dangerous pollution or climate change due to their declining global share. The EPA also argues that cutting these emissions would have minimal impact on public health and welfare.
This move follows a report by The New York Times, which noted that the draft proposal challenges long-held environmental positions, despite scientific consensus and UN data showing fossil fuels are responsible for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of CO₂ output.
The policy shift aligns with recent actions by the U.S. House of Representatives, which advanced Trump’s new tax and spending bill. The legislation targets the repeal of green-energy subsidies, grants for reducing emissions, and funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. It also threatens incentives for electric vehicle purchases and clean energy projects.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized that the agency is building on the Trump-era effort to boost fossil fuel industries by removing climate-related regulations. Trump had pledged to dismantle Obama-era environmental rules, and his latest proposal seeks to further support oil, gas, and coal operations.
The draft rule is expected to be published once the review process is complete, potentially marking a significant shift in U.S. climate policy and regulatory strategy.