EPA Wants to Nix All Power Plant GHG Rules Forever
Published Date: 9/17/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to cancel all greenhouse gas rules for fossil fuel power plants, saying the law doesn’t let them regulate these emissions for climate reasons. This change affects power plants across the U.S. and could impact future pollution limits and costs. Comments on this proposal are open until November 2, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA proposes to scrap power-plant GHG rules
The EPA proposes to rescind the 2015 findings and repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGUs) established in the 2015 New Source Performance Standards and the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards under Clean Air Act section 111. If finalized, these repeals would remove the GHG regulatory requirements that currently apply to the fossil fuel-fired EGU source category (NAICS 221112).
Which turbines and units the repeal would cover
The proposal explains the specific applicability windows for the regulatory provisions: repeal of 40 CFR part 60, subpart TTTT would cover stationary combustion turbines that commenced construction or modification after January 8, 2014, or reconstruction after June 18, 2014, and on or before May 23, 2023, and any steam generating unit or IGCC facility that commenced construction after January 8, 2014, or commenced modification or reconstruction after June 18, 2014. Repeal of 40 CFR part 60, subpart TTTTa would apply to stationary combustion turbines that began construction or reconstruction after May 23, 2023, and steam generating units that commenced modification after May 23, 2023.
Other pollution rules and legal effects stay in place
The EPA says the proposed repeal of GHG standards for fossil fuel-fired EGUs would not disturb criteria-pollutant standards or other requirements applicable to power plants, and returning to the pre-2015 status quo would not alter the Clean Air Act's displacement of Federal common law or its preemptive force with respect to State law. In other words, non-GHG regulatory requirements for power plants would remain in effect.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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