EPA’s Carbon Standards Are a Powerful Tool

The EPA’s standards to curb carbon emissions from power plants are crucial to addressing climate change. Strong and comprehensive rules are needed to address this major source of carbon pollution.

An aerial view of a coal-fired power plant, spewing smoke into the air
Credit:

Aaron Yoder/Getty Images

Media Contact

Mark Drajem
Media Director

Power plants are the nation’s second-largest source of carbon emissions after transportation, and, after years of delay, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new standards to address this pollution. The EPA says it plans to finalize those standards in April 2024. For years, NRDC has led the charge for these rules to curb power plant pollution.

Linked below are important public comments, reports, mapping resources, and blogs that explain the legal and technical basis for the standards, and provide recommendations for how to strengthen them. Please contact Mark Drajem if you have any questions.

Policy resources

State resources

Formal comments

Expert Analysis & Commentary

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A power plant situated on the coast of a waterway

EPA’s Power Plant Standards: Just the Facts

Expert BlogUnited StatesAmanda Levin
The EPA's power plant standards will ensure that utilities pursue the clean energy investments that are best for Americans’ wallets, health, and our climate.
Emissions rising from the gas-fired Chehalis power plant in Washington

Enhancing EPA’s Proposed Carbon Standards on Gas Plants

MapUnited StatesAmanda Levin, Maeve Sneddon
What would happen if the EPA adopted carbon pollution standards for gas plants by total plant size? Greater—and cheaper—emissions reductions.
Winter storms have exposed weaknesses in the reliability of the power grid.

The Grid Is A-Changing—and Grid Operators Need to Change With It

Expert BlogUnited StatesChristy Walsh, David Doniger
In their effort to shift blame to the EPA, fossil fuel interests and other opponents of carbon rules are conflating two types of reliability arguments. In comments NRDC and its allies are delivering to EPA and FERC tomorrow, we are…
A wind turbine stands in front of a smokestack

Towards A Cleaner, Better Power Sector 

Expert BlogUnited StatesDavid Doniger, Olivia Keck
After the hottest year on record, curbing power plant carbon pollution is more urgent than ever. Fortunately, we can get there from here.

Biggest Grid Operator Can Curb Carbon and Keep Lights On

Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin
A new analysis finds that the nation’s largest grid operator, PJM, can keep our air conditioner and heaters running while meeting EPA’s power plant carbon pollution standards – even during the hottest and coldest weeks. What’s more, they can do…

Unrealistic Assumptions Yield Unrealistic Results

Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin
A new analysis from the EFI Foundation, examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s carbon standards for power plants, ignores a key aspect of the rule: flexibility. EPA’s proposed standards are centered on flexibility, offering states and power plant multiple tools and…
A gas-fired power plant, Cherokee Generating Station, in Adams County, Colorado

Strengthen Power Plant Carbon Standards for Greater Climate Benefit

Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin, Sophia Ahmed
Power plants have operated without accountability for their carbon emissions for too long. The proposal represents a good first step, however, the EPA should seize the opportunity to strengthen the standards in both scope and speed. This approach will help…

The EPA Tackles Power Plants’ Carbon Pollution

Expert BlogUnited StatesLissa Lynch
The agency’s proposal to limit carbon pollution from coal- and gas-fired power plants—which until now has gone nearly unchecked—is a vital step toward combating climate change.
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