US moves to scrap greenhouse gas rules for coal, gas power

The US Environmental Protection Agency is preparing a proposal to eliminate greenhouse gas limits on coal and natural gas-fired power plants. The proposal will undergo interagency review before it is made public.

An EPA spokesperson said the move responds to concerns that existing regulations are overly restrictive and risk undermining domestic energy reliability and affordability.

According to a report by The New York Times, the draft claims emissions from fossil fuel plants represent a small and declining share of global greenhouse gases and therefore do not significantly impact public health or climate change.

This stance contrasts with findings from the United Nations, which attributes over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions — and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions — to fossil fuels.

The move comes amid broader efforts by President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers to dismantle federal climate initiatives. A tax and spending bill passed by the House includes provisions to end green energy subsidies, repeal grants for reducing emissions, and cut funding established under former president Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.