Trump Administration to Roll Back Power Plant Emission Limits

The Trump administration is expected to remove limits on carbon emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants. These plants are responsible for nearly a quarter of the country's climate pollution. The planned changes will repeal rules introduced by the Biden administration in 2024, which mandated that coal and gas power plants significantly reduce their carbon emissions. Additionally, the administration proposes to prevent future regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator, Lee Zeldin, is slated to announce these changes during a G20 energy ministers' meeting in Houston. The regulatory package includes two main components: a technical repeal of the 2024 Biden-era standards, which aimed to control greenhouse gas pollution from existing coal plants and new gas plants under the Clean Air Act, and a proposed rule arguing that the EPA lacks the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector entirely. This second part follows a February decision to overturn the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which determined that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health.

Uttar Pradesh Faces Power Shortage Amid Coal Supply Disruptions

Heavy rainfall and waterlogging in coal-mining regions have hindered coal transportation to thermal power plants nationwide, causing many units to operate at reduced capacity or shut down. The state currently faces a 1,500 to 2,000 MW shortfall compared to normal conditions. While demand remains similar to last September's peak of 30,625 MW, UPPCL can only manage approximately 27,000 MW.

Technical outages at several units have coincided with the coal supply issues. A September 14 report from the Uttar Pradesh State Load Dispatch Centre (UPSLDC) indicated 5,340 MW of generation capacity was offline. Affected units include Obra-C Units 1 and 2, Meja Unit-1, Anpara Unit-7, Rosa Unit-2, Ghatampur Unit-1, and units at Harduaganj and Jawaharpur. Ghatampur Unit-2, which went offline on September 13, has since returned to service.

UPPCL officials have been directed to procure electricity from all available sources to maintain supply. Market availability on the Indian Energy Exchange has tightened, with power at the ceiling price of Rs 10 per unit available for about 16 hours daily since September 1. Procurement is particularly challenging at night, when an additional 2,000 to 3,000 MW is needed, resulting in rural power cuts. During the day, UPPCL is purchasing electricity at up to Rs 10 per unit to maintain supply.

India to Export 654MW of Electricity to Nepal Following Flood Damage

India has committed to exporting 654MW of electricity daily to Nepal for 18 hours a day, effective until December 31, 2026. This measure addresses the significant damage to Nepal's hydropower infrastructure caused by recent floods, which reduced its domestic power generation capacity by approximately 550MW.

The electricity exports commenced on September 14, 2026. Up to 600MW is being supplied via the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV DC line between midnight and 6 PM, with an additional 54MW supplied through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV SC line. The quantum of power to be exported from January 2027 will be reviewed in December 2026.

This arrangement advances the typical export mechanism, which usually begins in October for the winter months when river flows decrease and hydropower generation is impacted. The Ministry of Power stated that India remains committed to supporting Nepal and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.