Programs & Progress
EPA systematically collects detailed information from the power sector under our regulatory and partnership-based emissions reduction programs. Learn more about these programs and progress toward program goals.
Learn more about the progress of the Clean Air Power Sector Programs:
EPA’s power sector programs have delivered substantial emission reductions and air quality improvements since the first nationwide program, the Acid Rain Program (ARP), began in 1995. With the addition of the NOX Budget Trading Program (NBP) (2003-2008), the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) (2009-2014), the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) (2015-present), CSAPR Update (2017-present), Revised CSAPR Update (2021-present), and the Good Neighbor Plan (2023-present), emissions of key pollutants have continued to decline. Reductions resulting from CAIR and CSAPR in ozone and fine particulates (PM2.5) have produced benefits for human health as well as the environment. Emissions reductions have improved visibility in national parks and the state of freshwater ecosystems in the eastern United States.
The below following graphs depict the history of these programs and their impact on emissions reductions over the last 30 years. These are interactive – hover over the points to see more details.
Emissions from coal-fired power plants have decreased significantly since 1990. Regulatory programs, market factors, and industry shifts have contributed to these emission reductions.
Learn more about how EPA assesses progress in reducing power plant emissions:
- Power Sector Programs Progress Report evaluate the progress of EPA's power plant programs and show the combined effects of these programs on power sector emissions of SO2, NOx, mercury, and atmospheric concentrations of ozone and fine particles (PM2.5). Also provided in these reports are the resulting benefits of these programs including emission reductions, compliance results, and changes in a variety of human health and environmental indicators.
- Progress Report – Emissions Reductions provide high-level visual displays of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX) , carbon dioxide (CO2), and mercury (Hg) emissions data collected from power plants subject to the ARP, CSAPR, CSAPR Update, Revised CSAPR Update, the Good Neighbor Plan, and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) to make it easy for the public to track changes in emissions from these sources.
- Latest Emission Comparisons & Pollution Controls provide quarterly updates of SO2, NOX, CO2, and mercury emissions from these programs.
- Acid Rain Program Results highlight the success of the Acid Rain Program both in emissions reductions and reduction in atmospheric deposition of wet sulfate deposition (commonly referred to as "acid rain").
EPA’s voluntary partnership programs have also achieved substantial progress. Learn more about how these programs have successfully promoted the transition to green power and reducing emissions from electric transmission and distribution.
Additional Resources
- Please see our Data & Tools page to quickly and easily access tools and resources related to EPA’s power plant emissions reductions programs.
- Stationary Sources of Air Pollution
- Reducing power sector emissions under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments: A retrospective on 30 years of program development and implementation