• The EPA has proposed eliminating limits on greenhouse gases from coal and gas-fired power plants.
• The agency argues that these emissions do not significantly contribute to pollution or climate change.
• Fossil fuels account for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN.
• This regulation is part of a broader effort under the Trump administration to ease environmental restrictions.
• The proposal will undergo public review and potential changes before finalization.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has drafted a regulation aimed at eliminating all limits on greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas-fired power plants, as indicated by internal documents reviewed by multiple outlets. The EPA's stance is that emissions from these fossil fuel sources are minimal and on the decline, thus claiming they "do not contribute significantly to dangerous pollution," a position criticized by environmental scientists who note the power sector is a leading contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas outputs, second only to transportation, according to The New York Times, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.

The EPA contends that removing these limits would not have a substantial impact on both environmental health and public welfare. Despite this claim, the United Nations maintains that fossil fuels are the primary drivers of global warming, generating over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions, with nearly 90% being carbon dioxide. This discrepancy highlights ongoing tensions between governmental regulations and scientific consensus, as echoed in reports from The New York Times, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.

This initiative is part of a broader trend under President Trump’s administration, which has prioritized deregulation of environmental protections and federal spending cuts related to climate change. The administration has also proposed significant changes to tax and spending bills that could dismantle green energy subsidies and funding initiatives established during the Biden administration. These developments indicate a concerted effort to bolster fossil fuel industries at the expense of environmental regulation, as detailed by The New York Times, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.