The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has claimed that the repealing of the majority of the Biden administration's greenhouse gas requirements for US power plants will save $310bn and is proposing rescinding all remaining greenhouse gas standards for the power sector to save a claimed further $370m in direct compliance costs.

“For over 15 years, the Obama and Biden administrations implemented a war on coal to destroy reliable and affordable energy. The Trump Administration has come in to protect American energy and to make sure you can afford to keep the lights on,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. “Americans will see a decrease in electricity prices, but this is just the beginning. We are working to go even further so that American energy can be fully unleashed. Realising the full potential of American energy means more jobs, lower prices, and a more prosperous America.”

EPA determined that the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards exceeded the agency's authority, effectively forcing plants to retire rather than setting standards they could actually meet.

This reversal of policy will add more GHG to the atmosphere, despite levels having been reducing over the last few decades, only seeing a very recent increase. It is worth noting, however, that total emissions from the US, even after this, are likely to be well behind China, currently producing around 150 per cent more.

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