US EPA aims to remove greenhouse gas limits on power plants - NYT

US EPA aims to remove greenhouse gas limits on power plants - NYT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has drafted a plan to eliminate all limits on greenhouse gases from coal and gas-fired power plants in the United States, according to a New York Times report [1]. The EPA's proposed regulation argues that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from these power plants do not significantly contribute to dangerous pollution or climate change because they represent a small and declining share of global emissions.

The EPA's draft suggests that removing these emissions would have no meaningful effect on public health and welfare. This stance is at odds with the United Nations' assessment, which indicates that fossil fuels are the primary contributors to global warming, accounting for more than 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions [2].

The EPA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, and the details of the NYT report have not been verified. The U.S. government under President Donald Trump has been actively removing federal spending related to climate change efforts and eliminating regulations aimed at addressing greenhouse gas emissions to bolster oil, gas, and mining operations.

On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill, which may end numerous green-energy subsidies supporting the renewable energy sector. The budget package, dubbed "one big beautiful bill" by Trump, would eliminate funding established under former President Joe Biden's administration through the Inflation Reduction Act and repeal grants intended to reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, or purchase electric heavy-duty vehicles.

The NYT report indicates that the EPA sent the draft to the White House for review on May 2, which could undergo changes before it is formally released and the public is given the opportunity to offer comments, likely in June.

References:
[1] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/US-EPA-wants-to-erase-greenhouse-gas-limits-on-power-plants-NYT-reports-50058895/
[2] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_L2N3RW00I:0-us-epa-wants-to-erase-greenhouse-gas-limits-on-power-plants-nyt-reports/