Overview

• On June 11, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a proposal to repeal emissions standards targeting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from coal- and gas-fired power plants.
• The rollback also targets the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, loosening limits on lead, nickel, arsenic and mercury by around two-thirds.
• EPA projects the rescission will save over $1 billion annually in compliance costs and support energy independence as demand for power increases.
• Environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Environmental Defense Fund have vowed to challenge the rollback in court to defend public health protections.
• Critics warn the rollback could reverse safeguards estimated to avoid more than 15,000 premature deaths and over 5 million asthma incidents through 2050.