Skip to main content

Obama Pushes Climate Plan, Opponents Vow to Sue

CBN

Share This article

President Barack Obama unveiled a new plan to cut emissions from U.S. power plants Monday.

The final version of Obama's plan imposes stricter carbon dioxide limits on states than was previously expected: a 32 percent cut by 2030. Obama's proposed version last year called only for a 30 percent cut.

"Today after working with states and cities and power companies, the EPA is setting the first ever nationwide standards to end the limitless dumping of carbon pollution from power plants," Obama said.

Obama said the unprecedented carbon dioxide limits are the "the single most important step" America has ever taken to fight climate change. He warned anew that climate change will threaten future generations if left unchecked.
 
"There is such a thing as being too late when it comes to climate change," Obama said. 

The changes will cost $8.4 billion annually by 2030 according to an estimate from the Obama administration.

States have until 2022 to comply and will also have an additional year to submit their implementation plans to Washington. Many Republican governors have said their states simply won't comply.
 
Opponents immediately announced they will sue the government and ask the courts to put the rule on hold while their legal challenges play out.

Energy industry advocates said the revision makes Obama's mandate even more burdensome, costly and difficult to achieve. They say the rules would drive up energy costs, reduce economic activity, and disrupt job markets.

An earlier Heritage Foundation study found the president's plan would kill almost 600,000 manufacturing jobs, and cause a loss in income of $7,000 per person.

It will be up to Obama's successor to implement his plan.

Share This article