WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Monday will unveil a plan to cut earth-warming pollution from power plants by 30 percent by 2030, setting in motion one of the most significant actions to address global warming in U.S. history.
The rule, which is expected to be final next year, will set the first-ever national limits on carbon dioxide, the chief gas linked to global warming from the nation’s power plants. They are the largest source of greenhouse gases in the U.S., accounting for about a third of the annual emissions, and make the U.S. the second largest contributor to global warming on the planet.
The regulation is a centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s plans to reduce the pollution linked to global warming, a step that the administration hopes will get other countries to act when negotiations on a new international treaty resume next year.
Environmental Protection Agency data shows that the nation’s power plants have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 13 percent since 2005, or about halfway to their goal. But with coal-fired power plant already beleaguered by booming natural gas supplies and other environmental regulations, experts on Sunday said getting there won’t be easy. The EPA is expected to offer a range of options to states based on where they get their electricity from and how much carbon dioxide they emit in the process.
Obama has already tackled the emissions from the nation’s cars and trucks, announcing rules to reduce carbondioxide emissions by doubling fuel economy. That standard will reduce carbon dioxide by more than 2 billion tons. The power plant proposal will prevent about 650 million tons of carbon dioxide from reaching the atmosphere, based on the 30 percent figure.
The EPA refused to confirm the details of the proposal Sunday. People familiar with the proposal shared the details on condition of anonymity, since they have not been officially released.
The details were first reported Sunday by The Wall Street Journal.
“…cut earth-warming pollution from power plants by 30 percent by 2020…”
Easily doable for an “exceptionalism” country, especially under a Democratic administration renown for its belief in federal support of transitions.
Alternate energy sources can make up for that, and then some, opening up MORE jobs, and BETTER PAYING jobs too. There is no downside, not even for the polluters running these archaic, expensive beasts. They should be in museums.
Put old power plants out of their misery before somebody (e.g. we, the people) gets hurt.
Go, Obama!! You have accomplished more on green energy, carbon curbs and raising mileage standards than any previous president. And that is not the only front that you have dragged this country forward on.
I just find it weird that the news media, analysts and historians miss the real significance of his presidency, taking side paths into race for example.
Can’t wait to hear the insane fault and consternation that modern Liberals and CONseratives find with his proposal – when they both ignorantly conclude we’re better off doing nothing, rather than any plan of President Obama.
History will judge Mr. Obama kindly. He’s moved us forward on gay rights, ramping down our military adventures, healthcare as a universal right, the very idea of tax fairness income equality, and brought a standard of even-headedness to the office. And he did it all in the face of the most vile racism.
I may not agree with everything he’s done, but at 45 years old, he’s clearly the best president in my lifetime.
Can’t wait for 40 years from now when cultural/political conservatives claim they were always for it.