EPA Planning New Rules to Slash Emissions From Power Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to issue new rules that would slash the amount of planet-warming greenhouse gases produced by U.S. power plants in the coming decades, according to people familiar with the matter. 

For the first time, emissions from both new and existing natural-gas plants, as well as existing coal-fired plants, would be regulated, the people said. Electric utilities would have various options for meeting the tougher standards by installing new carbon-capture systems or switching to cleaner fuels such as hydrogen, according to the people.