Biden Unveils Overhaul to Clean Power Grid and Curb Outages

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new rules aimed at significantly reducing pollution from power plants, with projections suggesting a reduction of over 1 billion metric tons of carbon emissions by 2047. These rules mandate tighter carbon emission standards for both existing coal-fired and new natural-gas-burning power plants. As part of the overhaul, plants will be required to capture 90% of their carbon emissions using carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology or cease operations as early as 2039.

Additionally, the EPA has updated regulations to lower mercury emissions by 70% for lignite coal plants and to cut emissions associated with toxic metals by 67%. Other measures include improved standards for the treatment of wastewater discharges and the management of coal ash to prevent leakage and environmental contamination. These regulatory updates coincide with anticipated increases in electricity demand from the expansion of data centers and electric vehicle use.

While these regulations have been welcomed by environmental groups, they have also sparked concerns among some industry representatives and critics who worry about the viability of CCS technology and the potential for increased energy costs and blackouts. The regulations are currently under investigation by the House Oversight Committee and have drawn mixed reactions, including disappointment expressed by the Edison Electric Institute over the EPA's stance on the feasibility of CCS for power plants.