According to the Clean Air Act, the standards must be based on “best system of emission reduction,” technologies deemed affordable and technically feasible.And the rules will likely be written expecting a major legal battle. Republican-led states and the energy industry will almost certainly push back.But two recent developments could bolster the EPA's expected regulations. The Supreme Court ruled last July that while the EPA could not force a system-wide shift in electric power generation, it could issue plant-specific rules. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show fossil fuels accounted for more than 60% of U.S. electricity generation in 2022, with 60% of that coming from gas and 40% from coal. Renewables accounted for a bit over 20%, with nuclear energy making up the rest.

Source: Wall Street Journal April 23, 2023 17:15 UTC