EPA moving unilaterally to limit greenhouse gases

[December 24, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is moving through regulatory channels to clamp down on greenhouse gas emissions after Congress failed to act on new legislation.

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new plan for establishing greenhouse gas pollution standards under provisions of the Clean Air Act.

In an announcement posted late Thursday on EPA's website, administrator Lisa Jackson said officials "are following through on our commitment to proceed in a measured and careful way" to reduce pollution that contributes to climate change.

The new regulations will focus specifically on coal plants and oil refineries, two of the largest sources of greenhouse gases. It will propose standards for power plants by next July and for refineries a year from now.

[Associated Press]

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