Federal · EPA final rule, 40 CFR 60

EPA repeals most of the 2024 power plant carbon standards and proposes repealing the rest

Final rule Sept. 17, 2026 · Effective Nov. 16, 2026

Published October 18, 2026 · Last updated October 18, 2026

What it does

• Repeals “the emission guidelines for existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating units, the CCS-based standards for coal-fired steam generating units undertaking a large modification, and the CCS-based standards for new base load stationary combustion turbines (i.e., Phase 2 standards).” (Final rule, Summary)
• Keeps, for now, the 2024 efficiency-based (phase 1) standards for new stationary combustion turbines. EPA says it is “not revising or repealing those requirements in this final rule.” (Final rule)
• State plans. States no longer have to develop plans for existing plants under the repealed guidelines (40 CFR part 60, subpart UUUUb). (Final rule, “Action Applicability”)

EPA’s reasoning and the opposing comments

• EPA: The rule is based on “a reevaluation of the best system of emission reduction.” EPA cites the Supreme Court’s 2022 West Virginia v. EPA decision and several 2025 executive orders. It says stakeholders warned the 2024 requirements rely on technologies “not ... adequately demonstrated.” (Final rule, Summary and Executive Summary)
• Commenters opposed: Some commenters said the 2024 standards would cut CO2 emissions by 1.38 billion metric tons over about two decades, plus reductions in particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. They argued EPA failed to consider health benefits. EPA disagreed, saying it “considered the foregone CO2 emission reductions and determined that its action is reasonable notwithstanding.” (Final rule, comments and EPA response)

Who it affects

Owners of coal-, oil- and gas-fired power plants that supply the grid, including government-owned utilities. It also affects state environmental agencies that would have written plans for existing plants, and electricity customers and communities near plants. (Final rule, “Action Applicability”)

Cost

EPA estimates that over 2026–2047, the present value of compliance cost savings for the power sector is “$160 billion using a three percent discount rate and $95 billion using a seven percent discount rate,” in 2024 dollars. (Final rule, “Cost Savings”) EPA’s news release describes the savings as more than $300 billion. That figure appears to match the rule’s separate “real resource cost savings” estimate of $180 billion to $280 billion. (EPA news release; final rule)

Current status

Published September 17, 2026; effective November 16, 2026. (Final rule, “Dates”)

What happens next

EPA’s concurrent supplemental proposal (FR Doc. 2026-19072) would, if finalized, “repeal all GHG standards for the fossil fuel-fired EGU source category under CAA section 111,” including the phase 1 standards. (Final rule; FR Doc. 2026-19072)

Sources

• Federal Register: Partial Repeal of the Carbon Pollution Standards, FR Doc. 2026-19071 (Sept. 17, 2026)
• Federal Register: Rescission of the GHG Findings for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants (proposal), FR Doc. 2026-19072
• EPA news release on the final repeal
• EPA: Greenhouse Gas Standards and Guidelines for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants

Every statement above is drawn from the official source text linked here; section references are shown in grey. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Spot an error? Tell us.