EPA Changes Carbon Pollution Standards

EPA Changes Carbon Pollution Standards. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture.

Last year President Obama announced a series of executive actions to reduce carbon pollution, prepare the U.S. for the impacts of climate change and lead international efforts to address global climate change. As part of the Climate Action Plan, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum directing the EPA to work expeditiously to complete carbon pollution standards for the power sector. During his weekly address, the President talked about some of the changes.

OBAMA: Earlier this month hundreds of scientists declared that climate change is no longer a distant threat. It has moved firmly into the present. Its cost can be measured in lost lives and livelihoods, lost homes and businesses; and higher prices for food, insurance, and rebuilding. That's why, last year, I put forward America's first climate action plan.  This plan cuts carbon pollution by building a clean energy economy – using more clean energy, less dirty energy, and wasting less energy throughout our economy. 

The three West Coast governors and the Premier of British Columbia, representing the Pacific Coast Collaborative, said the proposal would achieve meaningful greenhouse gas reductions from existing power plants, the nation's largest source of heat-trapping emissions. At the same time, they said, it will allow the states flexibility to build on programs and partnerships that are already protecting public health, saving consumers money and spurring innovation in cleaner, safer energy.

That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.