EPA Repeals Limits on Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Power Plants

On September 14, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it is repealing federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions from the nation's fossil fuel power plants, according to NPR, The New York Times, The Hill, PBS NewsHour, NBC News, and BBC News. The rule change overturns regulations finalized in 2024 under President Biden, which had required power plants to control planet-warming pollution, marking a reversal of climate policies pursued by the Biden and Obama administrations. Electricity generation is the second-largest source of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the United States, according to the New York Times. The Hill reported that the final rule guts most, though not all, of the existing power plant climate regulations, though the underlying regulatory text had not been publicly released at the time of reporting. The EPA stated the move would save the country billions of dollars and help reduce energy prices, according to BBC News. Multiple outlets confirmed the action targets both coal- and gas-fired power plants. Environmental groups have criticized the repeal, warning it will negatively affect the climate and public health, according to NPR. The full text and detailed provisions of the final rule remained unclear at the time of publication, and specific figures cited by the EPA regarding cost savings and price reductions have not been independently verified. It remains unresolved which specific emissions provisions, if any, survive the repeal, and how soon the rule will take legal effect amid expected challenges.