US scraps climate rules for power plants. EU faces tougher fight for decarbonisation

The US administration is removing a significant part of climate regulation for coal- and gas-fired power plants. The change could extend the operation of fossil-fuel assets and slow emissions reductions, but does not in itself mean the end of renewable energy development in the US. For the European Union, the US shift could weaken its position in promoting global decarbonisation and strengthen voices within Europe calling for coal to be retained and emissions targets to be eased.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on 14 September 2026 that it had completed the repeal of most requirements under power-plant emissions rules adopted in 2024. At the same time, it put forward a proposal to remove the remaining federal standards for greenhouse-gas emissions from fossil-fuel power plants under the relevant provision of the Clean Air Act. These are therefore two distinct steps: a finalised decision and a follow-up proposal that will still undergo public consultation.