In a significant move to combat climate change and protect public health, the Biden administration has implemented a suite of new regulations targeting coal-fired power plants and the broader energy sector. These regulations aim to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources and reduce the environmental and health hazards associated with fossil fuel consumption.
The regulations, adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), impose strict limits on carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants, demanding a 90% reduction. Additionally, they require reductions in mercury pollution and clamp down on the discharge of toxic metals into waterways. The EPA has also ordered the removal of hazardous coal ash from unlined pits across the nation.
The Biden administration has signaled a shift in stance on the gas industry, indicating that it may not continue to enjoy the economic advantages it has held over coal. New gas-fired plants built in the United States will be required to meet the same stringent carbon dioxide pollution limits as existing coal plants.
Power plants, second only to transportation in terms of climate change pollution, have been exempted from the administration’s demand to limit carbon dioxide emissions. However, the EPA plans to adopt separate rules for existing gas plants, addressing other types of pollution that disproportionately affect low-income, Black, and Latino communities. These actions are contingent on the outcome of the 2024 election.
The regulations targeting coal plants will likely increase costs for energy companies reliant on fossil fuels and could lead to the closure of generators operating on slim margins. However, environmental activists have welcomed the changes, emphasizing the industry’s historical disregard for environmental and public health concerns.
Despite the closure of dozens of coal plants in recent years, the industry remains responsible for a significant portion of heavy metals released into water nationwide. Approximately 250 coal plants have disposed of toxic ash into unlined pits, which are subject to less stringent regulations than household garbage landfills. One such site, located on Lake Michigan, has been identified for increased federal oversight due to its deteriorating steel wall, raising concerns about the potential for waste spillage into the lake.
The new regulations come amidst rapid changes in the nation’s energy mix. Coal’s contribution to electricity generation has declined to 17%, while gas accounts for 42%. However, renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, paired with battery storage, are playing an increasing role in providing electricity during various times of the year in some states.
The Biden administration has outlined plans to accelerate the addition of renewable energy to the electric grid by expediting environmental reviews of new transmission lines and providing incentives for upgrading existing lines to carry more energy. Illinois has taken proactive steps towards cleaner energy, passing a state law that prohibits coal- and gas-fired electricity by 2045. However, the state’s experience with the Prairie State Energy Campus, a coal-fired power plant, serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of transitioning away from fossil fuels.
The Biden administration’s comprehensive approach to decarbonizing the power sector and promoting clean energy alternatives marks a significant step towards mitigating climate change, protecting public health, and creating a more sustainable energy future.
