Federal rule drops carbon capture mandate for new gas plants and repeals limits on existing units
EPA's September 17 rule, effective November 16, removes carbon capture requirements for new baseload gas turbines and existing coal and gas units, while a broader repeal proposal takes comments until November 2.
Developers of new gas-fired power plants in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut no longer face a federal requirement to plan for carbon capture on large baseload units. In a final federal rule, Partial Repeal of the Carbon Pollution Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units, 91 Fed. Reg. 58,954 (Sept. 17, 2026), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) repealed most of the carbon standards it adopted in 89 Fed. Reg. 39,798 (May 9, 2024), amending 40 C.F.R. part 60, subparts TTTT, TTTTa and UUUUb, effective November 16, 2026.
Partial Repeal of the Carbon Pollution Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units, 91 Fed. Reg. 58,954 (Sept. 17, 2026) (to be codified at 40 C.F.R. pt. 60, subpts. TTTT, TTTTa, UUUUb); 91 Fed. Reg. 59,002 (proposed Sept. 17, 2026); 42 U.S.C. § 7607(b)(1)