Power Plant Rules Will Complement Recent Clean Energy Investments for Meaningful Emissions Reductions

The Nature Conservancy is encouraged by today’s announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of new proposed rules to substantially reduce carbon pollution from U.S. power plants.

The proposal, released May 11, sets emission limits and guidelines based on cost-effective, available control technologies, such as carbon capture and storage and low-greenhouse gas hydrogen, for power plants that generate electricity by burning coal, oil and natural gas.

“The EPA’s proposal comes at a critical point in our race to stem greenhouse gas emissions and limit the worst impacts of climate change,” said Jason Albritton, North America Climate Mitigation Program Director for The Nature Conservancy. “The United States, the world’s second largest carbon emitter, has made progress and committed significant resources to addressing the crisis head-on, but more still needs to be done.”

“The pragmatic, science-based regulations proposed by EPA will work hand-in-hand with recent investments and incentives approved by Congress to secure meaningful emission reductions from the power sector, which currently accounts for 25% of overall U.S. greenhouse gas emissions,” Albritton said. “Tax credits approved by the Inflation Reduction Act, along with years of federal investment in research and development in cleaner air technologies will make it easier for companies to meet these standards in the future.”

The proposed guidelines outline requirements for states to undertake meaningful engagement with affected stakeholders during the planning process. “As part of this policy discussion, the EPA should carefully consider the concerns of low-income or otherwise marginalized communities who have long suffered a disproportionate burden of pollution from this sector,” Albritton said.