Maine environmental groups denounce power plant pollution rollback

MAINE PUBLIC • September 15, 2026

The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday finalized a repeal of limits to carbon dioxide pollution enacted in 2024. The agency said the limits were an economic burden for power generators and increased electric costs. Anya Fetcher, a federal policy advocate at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, said the agency was abandoning its mission to protect human health. "Carbon emissions have been scientifically found and proven to be warming the planet and causing climate change, which is, in itself, impacting our health and our well-being," Fetcher said. Keith Carson, of Maine Conservation Voters, said the rollback would also lead to more harmful air pollution that drifts into Maine from upwind states.