Biden administration considers scrapping a futuristic proposal to slash power plant pollution

Source: CNN

Published 5:25 PM EDT, Thu April 18, 2024


CNN — The Biden administration is contemplating scrapping the most futuristic aspect of its highly anticipated and impactful power plant pollution rules, two sources familiar with the plan told CNN. The administration may also allow a slower phase-in for a portion of the rules, which are due to be finalized as soon as next week.

The potential change of plans comes as the administration faces fierce political headwinds, a conservative Supreme Court majority that has shown aggressive interest in curtailing the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority and questions over how fast electric utilities can pivot to the most innovative climate solutions.

The EPA is considering eliminating a proposal for new natural gas plants to use hydrogen alongside natural gas to make electricity, the sources said. The expected changes mean both existing coal and new gas plants would primarily rely on carbon capture and storage to cut their climate pollution, rather than hydrogen fuels. Hydrogen, while in its infancy, is seen by scientists as the future of clean fuel.

The power plant rules are still under review and no final decisions on them have been made. EPA spokesperson Tim Carroll declined to comment, saying, “The draft final rule is currently with the Office of Management and Budget under interagency review.” A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The EPA power plant rules are one of the most important and highly anticipated planks of President Joe Biden’s climate agenda.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/18/climate/biden-epa-power-plant-rules-hydrogen-climate/index.html