The Biden administration announces new rules aimed at reducing pollution in the power sector, targeting carbon, air, and water pollutants from power plants. These regulations are designed to cut over 1 billion metric tons of carbon emissions by 2047, even with increasing electricity demand.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tightened proposals to lower carbon emissions from existing coal plants and new gas facilities. Additionally, they have updated rules to address mercury, toxic air pollutants, and wastewater and coal ash discharge.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasized the importance of reducing pollution while ensuring a reliable electricity supply for all Americans. The new rules are part of a broader effort to cut emissions from power plants and aid in better decision-making for states, utilities, and plant operators.
As the demand for electricity continues to rise due to factors like data centers supporting generative AI and the growth of electric vehicles, the United States is projected to add more clean energy generation capacity this year than it has in the past two decades.
Changes to the carbon rule include a focus on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) for specific plants running more than 40% of the time, instead of hydrogen as previously proposed. The EPA has also mandated CCS technology for coal plants running beyond 2039 starting in 2032.
While some industry groups appreciated the bundled approach to pollution rules, concerns were raised about the viability of CCS technology for compliance by 2032. The EPA remains confident in the technology, supported by incentives and multiple power companies.
The new rules have garnered support from environmental groups for driving down power sector emissions and advancing the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2035. However, there are opposing views, with Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito planning to introduce a resolution to overturn the regulations.
