The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Thursday that it plans to delay finalizing limits on planet-warming emissions from gas-fired power plants in order to strengthen them. This decision, a crucial part of President Biden’s climate agenda, means that the rule probably won’t be finalized until following November, potentially depending on the outcome of the 2024 election. Environmental justice groups have pleaded with the EPA to make the rule more protective of disadvantaged communities that have been exposed to unhealthy air for decades, as these communities, particularly those of color and low-income neighborhoods, are disproportionately located near gas plant smokestacks and other sources of industrial pollution.
This delay comes at a critical time for President Biden, who is seeking to convince voters of his climate record amidst a challenging reelection campaign. Polling indicates that many voters are unaware of Biden’s signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, while many young people were outraged by the administration’s approval of a major oil drilling project in Alaska last year.
The EPA had initially proposed a rule in May 2023 to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from three categories of power plants: existing coal plants, existing gas plants, and new gas plants. While the agency is still on track to finalize the rules for existing coal plants and new gas plants in April, the rule for existing gas plants will take longer. The revised rule will not only address greenhouse gases but also harmful air pollutants.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasized the agency’s commitment to reducing climate pollution, stating, “This stronger, more durable approach will achieve greater emissions reductions than the current proposal.” Power plants are the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, accounting for approximately 25 percent of the
