EPA Plans Reset Of GHG And Mercury Rules For Power Plants

Introduction

Continuing the regulatory whiplash over greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from power plants, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed repealing the Biden administration's GHG power plant rules (Power Plant Rules), which were finalized only a year ago.¹ The Power Plant Rules focused on four areas of pollution and sought to limit emissions from natural gas and coal energy generation and derivative sources.² On 11 June 2025, EPA proposed repealing those rules to "ensure affordable and reliable energy supplies and drive down the costs of transportation, heating, utilities, farming, and manufacturing while boosting our national security."³ If finalized, this repeal will significantly impact the energy sector, representing a rollback of some of the most burdensome requirements on power plants. That said, the proposal creates significant uncertainty for plant operators who have already taken steps to comply with the