Changes to Pollution Rules for Coal and Oil Power Plants
Official: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal; Correction
Reading: EPA final rule that repeals National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for coal- and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units.
This change applies nationwide and could impact air quality in New Jersey and surrounding areas.
In clear language
This is a federal rule that removes pollution controls that were previously required for coal and oil-fired power plants. The rule affects how much hazardous air pollution these plants are allowed to release into the air. This change applies nationwide and could impact air quality in New Jersey and surrounding areas.
How does this affect you?
Pick the type of resident or organization you most identify with — we'll generate a plain-language breakdown of what changes for you and what you can do about it.
Who does this affect?
- Residents living near coal and oil power plants who may experience changes in local air quality
- People with respiratory conditions like asthma who are sensitive to air pollution
- Communities in New Jersey that rely on power from out-of-state coal and oil facilities
- Electric utility companies that operate these types of power plants
What can you do?
- Learn more about your local air quality by checking EPA.gov's air quality index for your area
- Support New Jersey's clean energy initiatives like solar and wind programs
- Contact your elected representatives to express concerns about air pollution standards
Timeline
- 2026-04-16 (Rule posted)
In the press
Coverage from AP News, The Guardian, and The New York Times reports that the Trump administration has rolled back federal pollution controls on coal and oil-fired power plants, including loosening limits on mercury and other hazardous air pollutants that plants are required to control. The changes remove emissions standards that coal plants were previously required to meet, weakening protections that limit toxic wastewater and air pollution from these facilities.
- AP NewsTrump administration aims to roll back limits on toxic wastewater from coal-fired power plants
- The GuardianMost US coal plants could meet air pollution rules. Trump weakened them anyway
- The New York TimesE.P.A. Plans to Loosen Mercury Rules for Coal Plants, Documents Show
- AP NewsTrump administration eases limits on coal plants for emitting mercury, other toxins
- The New York TimesE.P.A. Axes Biden’s Climate and Pollution Limits on Power Plants
Coverage retrieved automatically from major and NJ outlets. Links go to the original reporting; the summary above draws only on these headlines.
No New Jersey official has a verified action on this policy yet.
Related policies
- Federal RegisterMay 29, 2026EPA Approves District of Columbia's Statement That It Has No Large Polluting Facilities to Regulate
The EPA has officially approved the District of Columbia's declaration that it has no large municipal waste incinerators, oil and natural gas facilities, or coal power plants that would require strict pollution controls under federal clean air law. This approval means DC does not need to submit detailed pollution control plans for these specific facility types. The rule became effective on June 29, 2026.
- Federal RegisterApr 16, 2026Correction to Rules About Pollution from Coal and Oil Power Plants
The EPA is fixing some typing errors and missing text from a rule that repealed certain pollution limits on coal and oil-fired power plants. These corrections don't change what power plants actually have to do—they just fix mistakes in how the rule was written. The corrected rule becomes official on April 27, 2026.
- Federal RegisterApr 1, 2026New Rules for Renewable Fuel Requirements in 2026 and 2027
The EPA is setting new requirements for how much renewable fuel must be mixed into gasoline and diesel sold in the U.S. for 2026 and 2027, including fuels made from crops and waste. The EPA is also reducing the 2025 requirement for cellulosic biofuel (made from plant waste) because not enough is being produced. The rules also remove renewable electricity from qualifying as a renewable fuel and make small changes to how biogas can be used.
- NJ LegislatureMar 23, 2026Encouraging Data Centers in the Northeast to Use Clean Energy
New Jersey is asking states in the PJM Interconnection region (which includes New Jersey and neighboring states) to require data centers to use electricity from clean or renewable energy sources instead of traditional power plants. Data centers are large facilities that store and process data for internet services, and they currently use significant amounts of electricity. This resolution encourages neighboring states to adopt similar clean energy requirements for their data centers.