President Obama on Monday unveiled the EPA’s final rule for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The rule aims to cut emissions by 32% of 2005 levels by 2030 — a slightly more aggressive target than the 30% reduction the agency proposed last year. The EPA also said the rule would help reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 90% from 2005 levels and cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 72%.
Under the rule, states are required to submit their own plans for achieving the emissions targets to the federal government. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said on Sunday the rule would cost approximately $8.4 billion to implement, but the benefits could reach as high as $54 billion. The American Petroleum Institute, however, said the rule imposes “unnecessary costs” on states and U.S. consumers while overlooking the potential of natural gas to help reduce emissions.
Opponents of the president’s climate change agenda have been preparing for a fight for more than a year. Many believe the rule will bring an end to coal-fired power generation in the U.S.
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