The EPS  itself is not expected to result in notable CO₂ emissions reductions as most new power plants have been built for the less emitting – and recently more abundant and cheap – gas alternative, rather than coal. But any new coal plant under the EPS would effectively require CCS. Read more about the US EPS here.

The proposed EPA rule reportedly assumes that CCS technology has been adequately demonstrated. The EPA has been working for several years to introduce CO₂ emission limits for newly built power plants. The original proposal for an EPS was published in April 2012, but resulted in much outcry putting the legal robustness under extra scrutiny. It was therefore put on ice till June 2013 when President Obama called for its re-proposal. This most recent proposal is a reworking of the 2012 proposal. Obama called for the EPA to issue proposed guidelines to regulate existing power plants by June 1, 2014, and final guidelines by June 1, 2015.

The EPA will hold a public hearing on the proposal in Washington D.C. on January 28 and will be taking comments till March.