President Obama introduced his long-awaited plan to combat climate change in a speech today at Georgetown. He’s directing the EPA to limit greenhouse gas emissions from new and existing power plants, supporting more renewable energy development and expanding efficiency standards for appliances. He’s also funding local initiatives to build more resilient infrastructure and calling for an end to public financing for new overseas coal plants.
California officials are welcoming the plan. Mary Nichols, who heads the California Air Resources Board, the agency that regulates pollution, said it’s a good fit with the state’s efforts.
“California benefits enormously from having the federal government step up with a climate program,” she said. “It can only enhance our activities if we have a strong federal partner.”
California’s cap-and-trade program, which is managed by the Air Board, already limits carbon emissions from power plants in the state. Nichols says she expects Obama’s plan will provide more federal funding for state projects, including one to reduce pollution from diesel trucks.
KQED Science managing editor Paul Rogers writes for the Mercury News on the impacts the plan will have in California.
Obama announces sweeping new global warming planIn the largest environmental initiative of his presidency, President Obama will announce this morning the nation’s first mandatory restrictions on greenhouse gases from new and existing power plants. The rules, which be drafted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are set to be unveiled at a mid-morning speech Obama is scheduled to deliver at Georgetown University.
And NPR has a national perspective on the plan.
Obama To Lay Out Broad Plan To Address Climate ChangePresident Obama is expected to announce a sweeping plan to address climate change this afternoon. Read the plan and a White House fact sheet. The president has framed this issue as a moral responsibility, to leave the Earth in good shape for generations to come.