Great progress has been made in the industry's efforts to reduce the environmental impact of electricity generation, even as demand for electricity increases. The U.S. electric power sector has reduced air emissions substantially under existing programs.

• Since 1990, the industry has cut sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions by 92 percent and nitrogen oxides (NO_X) emissions by 84 percent. 

• EPA projects that power sector mercury emissions will be reduced by approximately 90 percent due to its Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) and other Clean Air Act regulations.​

The power sector is regulated under many Clean Air Act programs:

• Utility MACT Rule 
  Download the Federal Register Publication of the final Utility MACT ​rule and NSP​S Rules.

• Mercury
  Find out about the electric power industry's commitment to reducing mercury emissions.
• New Source Review
  Learn why New Source Review (NSR) is one of the most complex and burdensome programs of the federal Clear Air Act.
• Ozone
  Find out how electric companies are reducing emissions that form ozone.
• Particulate Matter
  Learn how electric companies are reducing emissions that form particulate matter.
• Interstate Transport
  Find out about the Clean Air Interstate Rule and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule.
• Toxics Release Inventory
  Learn about emissions reporting under the Toxics Release Inventory.