EPA To Begin Regulating Greenhouse Gasses

For the first time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will begin regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and oil refineries. The change came about, in part, because of a lawsuit filed againstthe agency by Connecticut and other states. WNPR’s Nancy Cohen reports.

Under the settlement the EPA will propose standards forpower plants by next summer and for refineries by next December. Combined together, fossil fuel power plants and petroleum refineries are the largest industrial sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who helped sue the EPA, says prior to this, greenhouse gas emissions were not regulated under the Clean Air Act.

"The E.P.A. regulating greenhouse gas emissions is a giant step toward stopping climate disruption. At the same time it's by no means a complete cure or panacea."

Blumenthal, who becomes senator next month, says the country needs an energy policy that supports fuel cells, solar energy and other renewables. Meanwhile, the EPA plans to meet with businesses and other stakeholders early next year before developing the new rules. 

For WNPR, I’m Nancy Cohen.