What's happened
The Biden administration has introduced new regulations requiring coal-fired power plants to drastically cut carbon emissions by 2039 or face closure, accelerating the decline of coal in the US power sector.
Why it matters
The new regulations mark a significant step towards combating climate change by phasing out coal-fired power plants, the largest source of carbon pollution in the US. This move aligns with Biden's pledge to eliminate carbon pollution from the electricity sector by 2035 and economy-wide by 2050, signaling a shift towards cleaner energy sources and improved public health.
What the papers say
The Biden administration's regulations have been praised for their ambitious effort to reduce planet-warming pollution and protect public health. However, industry groups and Republican-leaning states have criticized the rules as overreach and warned of potential grid reliability issues.
How we got here
Coal, once a dominant source of power in the US, has been losing ground to cheaper renewables and gas. The EPA's new rules target coal plants to cut carbon emissions, toxic wastewater pollutants, and manage coal ash, aiming to transition to a cleaner energy economy.
Common question
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The Environmental Protection Agency is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.