Obama's Plan to Cut Carbon Pollution
A recent New York Times article discusses President Obama's new plan to fight climate change, which will rely on the individual states to select initiatives and standards to help meet national goals for cutting carbon pollution. This strategy is reminiscent of Obama's health care plan strategy which was met with opposition and questionable results.
The new plan aims to reduce carbon pollution by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. This bold goal is being presented with a plan that allows maximum freedom based on state's regulations and individual needs. In doing this, states are able to adjust plans accordingly in order to reduce their carbon footprint. Coal-fired power plants, the county's largest culprit of greenhouse gas emissions, are a main target of the new proposal.
The EPA understands that states have their own individual needs based on the type of energy sources they use, and therefore wants to give them the freedom to adjust their pollution output in ways that are best suited for them. The intention of the new plan is not to set strict regulations that must be enforced but rather put the state's governments in charge of complying with the overarching goal of pollution reduction.
The EPA does have suggestions that states can put into place in order to comply with the new national rule. States can, among other actions:
Read more about the plan on EPA's website: http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards/clean-power-plan-proposed-rule
Read the full NY Times article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/us/politics/obama-epa-rule-coal-carbon-pollution-power-plants.html
The new plan aims to reduce carbon pollution by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. This bold goal is being presented with a plan that allows maximum freedom based on state's regulations and individual needs. In doing this, states are able to adjust plans accordingly in order to reduce their carbon footprint. Coal-fired power plants, the county's largest culprit of greenhouse gas emissions, are a main target of the new proposal.
The EPA understands that states have their own individual needs based on the type of energy sources they use, and therefore wants to give them the freedom to adjust their pollution output in ways that are best suited for them. The intention of the new plan is not to set strict regulations that must be enforced but rather put the state's governments in charge of complying with the overarching goal of pollution reduction.
The EPA does have suggestions that states can put into place in order to comply with the new national rule. States can, among other actions:
- shut down coal plants,
- install wind and solar power and energy-efficiency technology,
- join the California or Northeastern cap-and-trade programs, or
- enact a state-level tax on carbon pollution.
Though many have their doubts about the effectiveness of this plan, President Obama stands by his work, calling it “a sensible, state-based plan” thereby dismissing any criticism.
Read more about the plan on EPA's website: http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards/clean-power-plan-proposed-rule
Read the full NY Times article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/us/politics/obama-epa-rule-coal-carbon-pollution-power-plants.html
Be sure to visit Green Education Services, if you are interested in learning more about energy efficient technology and training in order to help reduce your carbon footprint!
