The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to remove the last remaining standards for greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in the United States. This decision follows a surge in electricity demand, fueled by the expansion of artificial intelligence, the rise of electric vehicles, and a renewed push for domestic manufacturing. The move is viewed as a continuation of policies started under former President Donald Trump, aimed at promoting fossil fuel industries and supporting the growth of large data centers that require significant amounts of energy. Environmental and consumer advocates have raised concerns, warning that reducing regulations on emissions could worsen climate change, threaten public health, and lead to higher energy costs for American households. The power sector is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., contributing about a quarter of the total. Earlier this year, the Trump administration reversed a key rule that classified greenhouse gases as a danger to public health, and now the EPA is extending that reversal to power plants as well. In a recent press release, the EPA stated that it no longer considers itself responsible for regulating greenhouse gas emissions because their effects are global and difficult to link directly to the U.S. power sector. The agency claims that the proposed rule would save $310 billion in costs, with additional measures expected to cut compliance expenses by $370 million. The United States has historically been the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions, and it remains a top emitter after China. The EPA is finalizing its removal of climate pollution limits set by the Biden administration for power plants and is proposing to eliminate any remaining restrictions on emissions from this sector. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has emphasized a goal of making the U.S. a global leader in artificial intelligence by easing environmental rules for data centers and the fossil fuel plants that supply them with energy. The proposed changes will be open for public feedback for 45 days and are likely to be challenged in court. Environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club, have pledged to oppose the proposal through legal action, legislative efforts, and community engagement, citing the ongoing impacts of climate change and rising electricity costs as key concerns.