Great progress has been made in the industry's efforts to reduce the environmental impact of electricity generation. 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 95 percent and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 88  percent. 
  
• As a result of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) and other Clean Air Act regulations, from 2010 to 2017, the power sector has reduced mercury emissions by 86 percent and total emissions of hazardous air pollutants by 96 percent.​  National total power sector mercury emissions have been reduced by 95 percent over the period 1990 to 2020 (from 59 to 3 tons per year).​
  

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

• Mercury - Find out about the electric power industry's commitment to reducing mercury emissions.
  
• 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.
  

​​​​The industry will achieve greater reductions in the future due to new regulations, using cleaner fuels, and increased electric generation from renewables like solar and wind.​