Proposed EPA rule will attempt to reduce carbon emissions 30 percent by 2030
Jeff Swensen/Getty Images


On Monday, the Obama administration is expected to formally propose new regulations that aim to cut U.S. greenhouse gas-emissions from existing power plants 30 percent by 2030, the Los Angeles Times reports. This new rule would set specific targets for carbon dioxide reductions in each state, and allow local officials to choose how to best meet the goals.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule will target power plants that burn fossil fuels, which emit 40 percent of America's carbon dioxide, more than other sources. States will be charged with reducing carbon dioxide emissions 30 percent from the 2005 levels, when emissions were 10 percent higher than in 2012. States will be encouraged to use more renewable energy and to become more energy efficient.
If the proposal withstands the coming swarm of lawsuits and attacks from Congress (both political and legislative), it will eventually phase out hundreds of the 600 or so coal-fired power plants in the U.S., The New York Times reports, while ushering in systemic changes to how America generates and deploys energy.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Melting glaciers may lead to more volcanic eruptions
Under the radar We're in for a boom
-
Wildfires destroy historic Grand Canyon lodge
Speed Read Dozens of structures on the North Rim have succumbed to the Dragon Bravo Fire
-
Europe's heatwave: the new front line of climate change
In the Spotlight How will the continent adapt to 'bearing the brunt of climate change'?
-
Search for survivors continues after Texas floods
Speed Read A total of 82 people are confirmed dead, including 28 children
-
How carbon credits and offsets could help and hurt the climate
The explainer The credits could be allowing polluters to continue polluting
-
This Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be above average
Under the radar Prepare for strong storms in the coming months
-
Why men have a bigger carbon footprint than women
Under the Radar 'Male identity' behaviours behind 'gender gap' in emissions, say scientists
-
Why the weather keeps getting 'stuck'
In the Spotlight Record hot and dry spring caused by 'blocked' area of high pressure above the UK