A rule change, initially suggested last year, represents a significant transformation compared to the efforts made by Democratic presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama in combating climate change and reducing industrial pollution.
Environmental groups have criticized the decision, alleging that it could negatively impact the health of American citizens and intensify environmental degradation. The Associated Press (AP) reported that legal disputes were also anticipated following the implementation of the new standard.
The nullification of the rule applied to power plants from the Biden era will allow for savings exceeding $300 billion in costs for the sector, in addition to helping release energy in the United States, according to the EPA.
Aaron Szabo, an assistant administrator at the EPA, emphasized that this modification will allow energy companies to make the most advantageous decisions for their consumers, instead of being forced to close old or inefficient facilities.
This proposal, which is expected to be formalized next year, follows a previous EPA initiative this year that overturned a scientific conclusion that served as the central basis for the US's action on greenhouse gas emission regulation and climate change mitigation.
In February, the measure had eliminated all greenhouse gas emission standards for both vehicles and trucks. The new plan will adopt a similar logic to promote a broader reversal of climate regulations targeting stationary sources, such as power plants.
This announcement also comes at a time when energy authorities are gathered for the G20 meeting.
Thermal power plants that use coal, gas, and oil are responsible for approximately one-fourth of all climate pollution in the US, ranking only behind the transportation sector. The contamination generated by these plants constitutes one of the largest global sources of pollution affecting the climate.
According to an AP study conducted last year, which incorporated prior assessments by the agency itself and various other research, the standards supervised by the EPA during Donald Trump's administration could prevent about 30,000 deaths and generate savings of $275 billion annually while in effect.