An historic plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions is being covertly developed by the Obama administration, reports Neela Banerjee. The plan could for the first time set limits on the country's biggest emitters: power plants.
"The Obama administration is considering a sweeping initiative to address climate change, including the first-ever limits on carbon dioxide from power plants, the country's biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, according to people familiar with the discussions."
"The White House has yet to settle on specific measures," continues Banerjee, "but 'we're hearing that existing power plants are definitely in the mix,' said a person with knowledge of the deliberations, who, like others, asked not to be identified to talk about White House discussions. An announcement could come by mid-July."
"Environmentalists and regulators said a new climate initiative might contain energy efficiency programs and efforts to eliminate leaks of methane, another potent greenhouse gas, from oil and gas drilling operations and pipelines," he adds.
"This is an important issue to the president. It's a question of his legacy," said Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills), ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "Five years from now, people will be talking about what the Obama administration did on climate change, not entitlements or the deficit or whatever they are talking about now. Because climate change is here and real, and we have to address it."
FULL STORY: Obama considers sweeping climate plan
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