The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, operating under the Trump administration, announced on September 14, 2026, that it will eliminate a regulation that limited greenhouse‑gas emissions from coal‑ and gas‑fired power plants. The decision was made in Washington, D.C., and marks a reversal of the rule that had previously imposed limits on carbon‑dioxide and other climate‑warming pollutants released by these facilities.
The rule slated for removal had set specific caps on the amount of carbon‑dioxide and additional greenhouse gases that could be emitted by coal and natural‑gas power stations. By establishing these limits, the regulation aimed to control the volume of pollutants contributing to climate change from the nation’s largest sources of electricity generation.
With the announcement, the EPA indicated that the regulation will no longer be enforced, effectively allowing coal and gas plants to operate without the previously mandated emission ceilings. The agency’s statement did not provide additional details about any replacement measures or alternative standards.
The removal of the rule occurs amid ongoing debates over federal environmental policy and the balance between energy production and climate considerations. The EPA’s action reflects the current administration’s approach to regulatory oversight of the energy sector.
Industry observers note that the change could affect reporting and compliance procedures for power plant operators that had been tracking emissions against the established limits. The shift may also influence future planning for plant upgrades or fuel switching, as the regulatory framework governing emissions from coal and natural‑gas facilities has been altered.
The EPA’s decision to scrap the emissions rule represents a significant policy adjustment concerning the nation’s efforts to manage greenhouse‑gas outputs from its power generation infrastructure.