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Power plants are the nation’s second-largest carbon-polluting sector (after transportation), and transitioning to a clean power grid is essential to avoid the worst effects of climate disruption. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority and responsibility to limit carbon pollution from power plants under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act. In May 2023, the EPA proposed new carbon pollution standards for power plants and plans to issue final standards in April 2024. This fact sheet provides an overview of the standards that the EPA proposed with NRDC’s recommendations on how to strengthen them.
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NRDC: EPA’s Power Plant Carbon Standards Are Essential
Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.
WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency is on the right path with its proposed standards to cut carbon pollution from power plants, according to comments environmental groups will submit to the agency today.
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.
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…
Comments on EPA's Proposed Rules to Curb Carbon Pollution from Power Plants
CommentsUnited States
NRDC’s comments on the EPA’s proposed standards for emissions of climate-disrupting carbon dioxide from power plants, the nation’s second largest source of climate pollutants.
Rule Cuts Carbon Pollution from Power Plants that Burn Coal and Gas
Press ReleaseUnited States
The EPA today proposed urgently needed limits on carbon emissions from power plants that burn coal and gas, targeting the source of about a third of U.S. carbon pollution—or a quarter of total greenhouse gas emissions.
The EPA’s Power Plant Carbon Rules Can Be Built to Last
Issue BriefUnited StatesLissa Lynch, David Doniger
The EPA has a firm legal basis for strong power sector standards that will accelerate the sector’s ongoing reduction of carbon pollution and help meet the urgent threat of climate change
The Supreme Court’s EPA Ruling, Explained
ExplainerUnited StatesJeff Turrentine
What the West Virginia v. EPA decision means for the agency, climate action, and the future of federal protections.