EPA delays rule on new plant emissions

• 9 years ago (2015-01-09)
• Junior Isles

North America 1004

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The US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final ruling on carbon dioxide emissions from new coal-fired power plants has been delayed.

A final rule was due by law on January 8 but the EPA said it would wait until midsummer, and issue the new power plant rules with a separate regulation aimed at cutting the pollution blamed for global warming from the existing coal-fired power fleet. The proposed rule was announced in September 2013, published in January 2014.

The rule is one of two major climate regulations that the EPA is trying to push through for power plants. The second regulation, due in June, will call for emission cuts from existing power plants. These two regulations are integral pieces of President Obama’s fight against climate change and the Clean Air Act.

However, the proposed rules are facing stiff opposition. The National Association of Manufacturers said these new regulations threaten “to be the most expensive ever”.

According to the Associated Press, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to keep these new emissions rules from passing.