EPA Proposes Plan to Cut Carbon Pollution from Power Plants

The EPA has published its proposal for new carbon pollution targets by 2030. The proposal includes a 30% reduction in carbon pollution from 2005 levels by the year 2030 from the electricity generation sector.

These rules could affect some 1,600 power plants. About 600 of these operate on coal, including many that are nearly 50 years old and will have the most difficulty meeting the new standards.

Under the rule, states and power companies will have a range of options to meet the new standards: switching from coal to cleaner-burning natural gas; forming cap-and-trade markets; expanding renewables such as wind and solar power; or encouraging customers to use less energy by moving to more efficient heating and cooling systems and appliances.

The EPA proposal is a response to President Obama’s plans for cutting carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants. To learn more, refer to this NY times article: President Said to Be Planning to Use Executive Authority on Carbon Rule.