US EPA drafts proposal to remove emission caps on fossil fuel power plants

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has drafted a plan to remove limits on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants, according to internal documents obtained by the New York Times.

The draft proposal was submitted to the White House for review on May 2 and may be revised before its official release.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasised that the agency aims to comply with legal requirements while ensuring Americans have access to reliable and affordable energy. However, his spokeswoman declined to provide further details, noting the proposal will be published following an interagency review and once it is signed by the administrator.

This move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader effort to overhaul US environmental policies. In April, ProPublica reported that the EPA planned to reduce regulations requiring major polluters, including power plants and industrial facilities, to track and report their greenhouse gas emissions.

The US is currently the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, responsible for approximately 11% of global emissions in 2023, according to the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research.

Additionally, President Trump’s budget plan, described by him as "one big beautiful bill," seeks to cut funding established under former President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. This includes eliminating grants aimed at reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as funding for electric heavy-duty vehicles.

The New York Times report also notes that the EPA’s draft is expected to undergo further review before being released for public comment, likely sometime in June.

By Tamilla Hasanova