Power Plants: 40 CFR Part 60, [EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124; FRL-12674-01-OAR], RIN 2060-AW55
On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes repealing all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. The EPA proposes that the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 111 requires it to find that GHG emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution as a predicate to regulating GHG emissions from those plants, which the current administration does not agree with.
The EPA is further proposing to make a finding that GHG emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants do not contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution.
The EPA is also proposing, as an alternative, to repeal a set of requirements that includes the emission guidelines for existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating units, the carbon capture and sequestration/storage (CCS)-based standards for coal-fired steam generating units undertaking a large modification, and the CCS-based standards for new base load stationary combustion turbines.
EPA is proposing to repeal certain amendments issued in 2024 to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units – a rule commonly known as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for power plants, or simply MATS. This proposal would revert to 2012 standards for air toxic pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants.
This action proposes to relieve all facilities of the more stringent filterable particulate matter (PM) emission standard for coal-fired EGUs, the tighter mercury standard for lignite-fired EGUs, and the requirement to use PM Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS).
Comment Period
Public and industry comments must be received on or before 45 days following publication in the Federal Register. This document is a prepublication version, signed by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on 06/11/2025. While the EPA has taken steps to ensure the accuracy of this version, it is not the official version.
The EPA will hold a virtual public hearing in the future. You may send comments identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124, using these channels as follows:
All submissions received must include the Docket ID No. for this rulemaking. Comments received may be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
Please get in touch with SCS Engineers with questions pertaining to your power plant operations or facilities. Thank you. We will post regulatory updates in more detail as they unfold.
Join SCS Engineers as Sponsors and Exhibitors at the IEA’s Annual Environmental Training Symposium & Conference on June 5th at the San Diego Mission Valley DoubleTree by Hilton in San Diego. For over 40 years, this event has excelled in providing a balance of valuable information, including environmental compliance guidance, and regulatory and legislative updates.
The conference attendees consist of environmental, health, and safety professionals, NGO representatives, environmental engineers, environmental consultants and attorneys, and government affairs representatives. These participants represent manufacturing, biotech, and high-tech companies, as well as the Department of Defense, and federal and state regulators.
The 20+ conference sessions vary from year to year depending on current legislation and regulations.
SCS Engineers is pleased to welcome John Tsun as its National Industrial Clean Air Act (CAA) Practice Leader. In his role, John will focus on increasing SCS’s services to both public and private sectors related to evolving regulatory policies stemming from the Clean Air Act (CAA). John will be based out of SCS’s Suffern, NY office, serving clients along the eastern seaboard and nationwide.
Mr. Tsun brings over three decades of extensive experience and qualifications in environmental engineering, air quality services, and regulatory compliance. His background includes managing air permitting and compliance projects for sectors including, but not limited to, petroleum, pharmaceutical, chemical, and power-generation facilities and governmental agencies. His specialization is in air-quality-related solutions that include regulatory compliance audits, emissions inventories, emissions control selections, permitting strategies, ambient air-quality monitoring, air dispersion and consequence modeling, soil vapor dispersion modeling, vapor intrusion barrier installation, vapor intrusion sampling, vibration monitoring, bi-axial tilt monitoring, and noise monitoring.
Mr. Tsun is knowledgeable in regulatory applicability, such as New Source Review and Prevention of Significant Deterioration, preparing air permit applications such as Title V computer simulation modeling, and compliance reporting. For our clients, Mr. Tsun’s experience translates into streamlined permits and compliance obligations that are practical while controlling emissions appropriately. These comprehensive attributes are particularly important to SCS Engineers with in-house resources to navigate the permitting process, secure the necessary approvals, and offer solutions that save time and money.
For many industries, CAA is critical because the evolution of regulations impacts capital expenditures, especially those with older facilities, which may be required to install pollution control technologies or upgrade equipment to meet current emission standards. Consequently, implementing and maintaining pollution controls increases operating costs if the environmental solutions are not identified and planned sustainably.
Air permitting is often the critical path element in a construction schedule for new facilities and must be completed before construction can commence. Guiding clients through properly identifying emission sources and inventories, selecting proper control technologies, and efficient modeling will minimize timelines that are important for construction timelines when “speed-to-market” is crucial.
“Our clients face ever-increasing challenges and scrutiny in complying with various State and Federal air and other environmental regulations. John has decades of proven experience helping clients successfully navigate these challenges. We are delighted to have him join our team and expand the CAA services we offer our clients,” SCS Engineers Senior Vice President Michael Miller says.
Clean Air Act Resources:
Join SCS Engineers at the Environment, Labor & Safety+ Conference (ELS+) on April 21-23 at the Omni Charlotte Hotel in Charlotte, NC. The ELS+ Conference is a vital platform for safety, environmental compliance, and HR professionals in the meat and poultry industry.
The conference tackles emerging trends and real-world challenges by delivering practical, actionable insights that help you keep your workforce safe, facilities compliant, and teams engaged. Attendees will benefit from a collaborative, confidential environment where they can exchange strategies, discuss challenges, and learn from industry peers.
ELS+ equips you with tools, knowledge, and talking points to bring back to your plant, helping you drive real, positive change. Whether you’re managing safety programs, navigating complex environmental regulations, or leading HR initiatives, this event offers the expertise and connections you need to succeed.
Click here to register and connect with SCS Engineers at ELS+ to move your team and your company forward.
Do you represent one of the 10,000 companies in the U.S. doing business in California that will be affected by sweeping new climate-related disclosure requirements recently signed into law?
California requirements for public disclosures cover corporate climate-related financial risk (SB 261) and corporate GHG emissions/targets (SB 253). While these state climate disclosure laws are subject to court challenges, they are still in effect, so companies are collecting data now.
The requirements will impact public and private companies in the U.S. doing business in California, including companies headquartered outside of the state.
If you reply yes to the questions below, you must report your company’s Climate Disclosure starting in 2026.
This live educational webinar, now recorded for your convenience, highlights these new disclosure requirements for climate disclosures, applies the standards, and provides the related assurance requirements for each. This one-hour webinar is free, non-commercial, and relevant to all industries. Watch now!
Meet our panelists.
Our panelists explain the carbon accounting expectations, materiality considerations, and what to do now to prepare. We’ll provide an update on the net impact of timely court decisions affecting California requirements, as well as the impact of similar disclosure requirements under the CSRD rules of the European Union.
You can start or refine your roadmap for the journey to mandatory reporting and reflect upon the relationship of these disclosures to U.S. firms remaining globally competitive.
SCS Engineers welcomes Dave Dirkin, who joins the firm as a Senior Environmental Services Project Manager in the U.S. Southwest region. Mr. Dirkin is a Professional Geologist (PG) in California, Oregon, and Washington and brings over two decades of expertise to SCS.
“Dave is an outstanding addition to SCS Engineers. He strongly benefits our clients with his deep understanding of federal regulatory framework requirements and experience implementing modern remedial technologies that keep projects moving,” says SCS Vice President and Project Director Ashley Hutchens.
Mr. Dirkin has extensive federal regulatory experience and works closely with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB), South Coast Air Quality Management Districts (AQMD), and local authorities, e.g., fire departments and environmental health agencies.
As a PG across the Pacific seaboard, with extensive experience in subsurface characterization of soil, soil vapor, and groundwater, he will support remediation for properties impacted by contaminants such as fuel hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, and heavy metals.
Dave is recognized for his excellent client relationships and communication skills, which are significant to SCS and its clients. At SCS, he will manage projects for commercial, industrial, and federal facilities such as petrochemical refineries, fuel distribution pipelines, terminals, service stations, retail and industrial dry cleaners, and military installations.
His expertise is valuable for municipalities, developers, and banks when due diligence, including complex Phase II investigations and remediation projects, is essential to recycle strategic properties. Well-versed in coordinating and permitting work, including air quality management for Title V permitting, he supports all related stakeholder communication activities, providing more comprehensive environmental services.
Additional Resources:
Join SCS Engineers at the Wisconsin Safety Council’s Annual Conference April 14 – 16, 2025 at Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
We are proud to participate in Wisconsin’s industry event focused on health, safety, and human resource best practices. Now in its 83rd year, the conference features 50+ educational sessions, 200 exhibitors, and five professional development courses, offering valuable insights into workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
Connect with our experts to discuss waste management safety, environmental compliance, and innovative solutions for workplace risk reduction. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain the latest safety insights, network with industry leaders, and explore cutting-edge strategies for a safer work environment. We look forward to seeing you there – register now!
SCS Engineers welcomes Russell Wharton, PE, to SCS Engineers as our new Project Director in Nashville, Tennessee. Russ will run the office that serves the state and brings to diverse SCS clients over three decades of expertise in civil engineering design, municipal, environmental, and geotechnical engineering, architecture, alternative energy (including renewable natural gas), and consulting.
With his years of experience in civil and environmental engineering, Russ’s expertise includes construction management and quality assurance, saving clients time and money. His ability to incorporate LEED elements and sustainability procedures with minimal cost impacts brings more value when applying design elements in the field. These strategies help avoid cost overruns and project delays.
While having experience working on national accounts spanning from the West to East coasts, Russ’s work experience includes counties and cities throughout Tennessee, serving as the client contact and managing regulatory needs, including federal and state agencies and Authority Having Jurisdiction requirements for entitlements (rezoning, special use, variances, design review approvals), and permitting, including such clients as New York City, the Port Authority of NY and NJ, and various international airports.
His broad development design experience – facility siting, grading/drainage, utility (water, sewer, stormwater), pavement, erosion, and sediment control is especially helpful for many businesses and facilities facing stricter regulatory policies necessary to comply with Clean Water regulatory actions.
As a professional engineer and general contractor licensed in Tennessee, Russ earned a Vanderbilt B.E. in civil and environmental engineering. He is also an active member of Rotary International.
Please join SCS Engineers in congratulating our Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Nathan Hamm, for his new position. As CSO, Hamm will lead SCS efforts for strategic planning, identification of short-and long-term growth objectives, and new business and expansion opportunities.
Hamm will coordinate and facilitate the optimization of the marketing and business development efforts across SCS to support strategic efforts. Further, he will lead the Client Success Program, which seeks to provide the highest value to our clients. As a professional engineer, Nathan Hamm has nearly three decades of experience and an ideal blend of client-focused consulting, business acumen, and hands-on work with our strategic initiatives to draw from.
Further, his previous experience as a Client Manager, Project Manager/Director, and the leader of our Leachate and Industrial Wastewater Treatment strategic initiative provides him with a broad perspective, key relationships, and strategic insight across SCS and the industries we serve. Hamm will oversee the program strategies that keep SCS’s deep bench of professionals poised to provide sustainable, full-service solutions.
SCS Engineers CEO Doug Doerr says, “Nathan Hamm’s background as part of SCS’s executive team, his work with our talented professionals, and his legacy of success with clients are key as SCS continues evolving to serve our core and expanding industry base.”
Additional Information:
Addition of PFAS with final toxicity values
On January 3, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the automatic addition of nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to the list of chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory. The nine PFAS were automatically added for reporting due to EPA having finalized a toxicity value during 2024, and whose identity is not claimed as confidential business information. These nine PFAS are:
Addition of PFAS no longer claimed as confidential business information
Under NDAA section 7321(e), EPA must review CBI claims before adding a PFAS to the TRI list if the chemical identity is subject to a claim of protection from disclosure under 5 U.S.C. 552(a). EPA previously identified Acetic acid, [(γ-ω-perfluoro-C8-10-alkyl)thio] derivs., Bu esters for addition to the TRI list based on the NDAA’s provision to include specific PFAS upon the NDAA’s enactment. Due to CBI claims related to its identity, this PFAS was not added to the TRI list at that time. The identity of this chemical was subsequently declassified in an update to the Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory in May 2024. Because its identity is no longer confidential, it was added to the TRI list.
These nine newly added PFAS, along with the previous 196 TRI-listed PFAS, are also subject to EPA’s action in October 2023 to classify all PFAS subject to TRI reporting as chemicals of special concern. Among other impacts, this removes the use of a reporting exemption that allowed facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals were used in small concentrations.
Additional TRI Reporting Resources:
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