From the
New York Times:
Obama Readying Emissions Limits on Power Plants
President Obama is preparing regulations limiting carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants, senior officials said Wednesday. The move would be the most consequential climate policy step he could take and one likely to provoke legal challenges from Republicans and some industries.
Electric power plants are the largest single source of global warming pollution in the country, responsible for nearly 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. With sweeping climate legislation effectively dead in Congress, the decision on existing power plants � which a 2007 Supreme Court decision gave to the executive branch � has been among the most closely watched of Mr. Obama�s second term.
Actually, Microbes account for about 60% of all CO2 emissions.
Meet Heather Zichal:
Heather Zichal, the White House coordinator for energy and climate change, said Wednesday that the president would announce climate policy initiatives in coming weeks. Another official said a presidential address outlining the new policy, which will also include new initiatives on renewable power and energy efficiency, could come as early as next week.
More:
Ms. Zichal suggested that a central part of the administration�s approach to dealing with climate change would be to use the authority given to the Environmental Protection Agency to address climate-altering pollutants from power plants under the Clean Air Act.
�The E.P.A. has been working very hard on rules that focus specifically on greenhouse gases from the coal sector,� she said. �They�re doing a lot of important work in that space.�
She did not specifically mention standards for existing power plants, but other senior officials have said in recent days that Mr. Obama has decided to start work on such regulations.
A 2007 Supreme Court decision gave the E.P.A. authority to regulate greenhouse gases, and it has already done so for vehicles. Environmental advocates said that addressing power plant pollution must be the centerpiece of any serious climate policy.
So instead of using the Constitutional regulatory path of going through Congress, Obama is sidestepping the entire process and legislating by decree...
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