EPA to roll back carbon rule on new coal plants

Source: Reuters

POLITICS DECEMBER 6, 2018 / 7:03 AM / UPDATED 3 HOURS AGO

EPA to roll back carbon rule on new coal plants

Timothy Gardner
3 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration is expected on Thursday to roll back an Obama-era rule that requires new coal plants to capture their carbon emissions, a move that could crack open the door in coming years for new plants fired by the fossil fuel.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will make an “energy policy announcement” at 1:30 p.m. EST (1830 GMT) on Thursday. Andrew Wheeler, EPA’s acting administrator, will speak alongside Harry Alford, president of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, a long-time opponent of former President Barack Obama’s limits on carbon emissions.

The EPA is expected to propose allowing new coal plants to emit up to 1,900 pounds (862 kg) of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour of electricity, according to a New York Times report citing unnamed sources.

The Trump proposal, which is sure to be challenged by lawsuits from environmental groups, would replace an Obama-era standard allowing only 1,400 pounds of carbon per megawatt-hour. That Obama rule would have forced new plants to install carbon capture equipment that is not yet commercially available.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-coal/epa-to-roll-back-carbon-rule-on-new-coal-plants-idUSKBN1O519C