The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new rule that will require coal-fired power plants to capture smokestack emissions or face shutdown. This rule is part of the Biden administration's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, with a goal of eliminating carbon pollution from the electricity sector by 2035 and economy-wide by 2050.
The EPA's rule targets fossil fuel-fired electric plants and includes measures to reduce toxic wastewater pollutants and manage coal ash in unlined storage ponds. EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasized that the new rules aim to reduce pollution, protect communities, and improve public health while supporting the transition to a clean energy economy.
The rule is expected to face challenges from industry groups and Republican-leaning states, who argue that the regulations could impact the reliability of the electric grid. However, environmental groups have praised the EPA's action as crucial for combating climate change.
The new standards will require existing coal-fired power plants to control carbon dioxide emissions and future plants to capture up to 90% of their carbon pollution. The EPA estimates that the rule will avoid 1.38 billion metric tons of carbon pollution through 2047, providing significant climate and health benefits.
The EPA rule does not mandate the use of carbon capture and storage technology but sets caps on carbon dioxide pollution that plant operators must meet. The regulation also tightens rules on reducing wastewater pollution from coal-fired plants and managing coal ash waste.
Overall, the EPA's new rule represents a significant step in reducing carbon emissions from the power sector and moving towards a cleaner energy future.
