Court upholds EPA carbon regulation
In Washington DC, the US Court of Appeals rejected a challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to regulate emissions.
Texas and Wyoming were arguing that the EPA did not have a right to intervene as states develop their own emission regulations.
The EPA initially established timeframes for states to develop emission reduction targets and initiatives but stepped in when Wyoming and Texas seemed to be lagging behind.
In a recent address, President Barack Obama announced that he has tasked the EPA with developing standards for new and existing power plants, which are responsible for roughly one third of total emissions in the country.
The EPA will work closely with states and industry leaders as they develop these rules to ensure they are effective and not overly burdensome on businesses.
According to the Clean Air Act, carbon dioxide is a harmful pollutant which must be regulated to ensure public health.
(7/25/13)