Industry readying for another clash over US EPA’s carbon emissions rule

The US EPA published final carbon emission standards for new natural gas and existing coal steam generation in April 2024 to replace the now-defunct Clean Power Plan. Subsequently, a large group of states filed a lawsuit asking the court to stay the regulations and vacate the final rule. Although EPA maintains it has crafted a traditional rule within the bounds of its authority, the states and utilities are concerned that carbon capture technology is not adequately demonstrated, is too expensive, and will force some generation to retire prematurely, leaving the grid at risk of failure.