EPA carbon emission standard rescission faces legal challenge

Legal challenges have commenced following the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to rescind carbon emission standards for existing fossil-fuel-fired power plants and major plant overhauls. While the rescission specifically targets existing infrastructure, the EPA indicated that standards for new plants may also be subject to future changes.

A petition for review was filed in the DC Circuit on the same day the regulatory action was finalized. The petitioning group includes several environmental and health organizations, such as the American Lung Association, the American Public Health Association, the Clean Air Council, Clean Wisconsin, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. These organizations have issued statements emphasizing the importance of maintaining the previous pollution standards.