On Sept.14, 2026, EPA released a final rule partially repealing the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. The rule takes effect on Nov. 16, 2026.
The rule repealed the 2024 emission guidelines for existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating units in their entirety, eliminating the requirement that states develop plans to control greenhouse gas emissions from these facilities. The rule separately repealed carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) requirements for coal-fired units undergoing large modifications and for new base load natural gas-fired units.
The final rule also repealed the 2024 rule’s requirement for 40% natural gas co-firing for coal plants operating beyond 2032 but retiring before 2039. EPA did not adopt replacement standards because it indicated such standards would be unnecessary if it finalizes a separate, supplemental proposal also released on Sept. 14.
EPA previously relied on Section 111 of the Clean Air Act to establish greenhouse-gas performance standards and emission guidelines for certain fossil fuel-fired electric generating units, including in 2015 and 2024. The supplemental proposal would rescind the findings underlying Section 111 standards and repeal the remaining greenhouse-gas requirements for fossil fuel-fired electric generating units. EPA stated Section 111’s reference to “air pollution” is best understood to cover pollution causing localized harm — not global climate change. It also stated that Congress did not clearly authorize EPA to impose economically and politically significant climate regulations. EPA further claimed these GHG emission regulations would have minimal impact on climate change, rendering such regulations “futile.”
The repeal is projected to increase other air pollutants associated with fossil fuel generation, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and fine particulate matter. These pollutants are associated with respiratory illness and cardiovascular harm.
As EPA concluded in the repealed 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards, these medical conditions have disproportionate and adverse effects on communities with environmental justice concerns. The final rule does not contain a comparable environmental justice analysis or identify which populations will experience the projected increases in pollution exposure.
Together, the final and proposed supplemental rules would eliminate all remaining federal greenhouse-gas standards for fossil-fuel power plants.
Comments on the supplemental proposal are due Nov. 2, 2026.
EELP is tracking further regulatory developments on our Regulating Greenhouse Gases for New and Existing Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants tracker page.
Read our legal analysis: EPA Proposes to Eliminate Power Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations.