EPA Moves on Greenhouse Gas Limits

The Obama administration is quietly moving forward with plans to propose limits on greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants, reports the Charleston Gazette.

 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials this week submitted the proposed rule, despite several efforts by lawmakers, including Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., to block or delay the new measure in order to protect the coal industry, the West Virginia newspaper reported.

 

The administration has been working toward regulating greenhouse gases following a July, 2007,  Supreme Court ruling that mandated action can be taken if the EPA’s scientists conclude emissions are endangering public health and welfare.

 

Coal industry supporters believe carbon capture and storage technology can help save the industry while curbing emissions, but other experts caution that without mandated cuts in greenhouse emissions — either by an EPA rule or act of Congress — industry is unlikely to widely install expensive equipment.