Greenhouse gases cut submitted by Obama

Greenhouse gases cut submitted by Obama

Seizing a global leadership role, Republicans complain about a "war on coal."

For its part of a planet-wide campaign to lower the emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has submitted its plan to cut such gases almost 30 percent in the next ten years. The U.S. is now the second largest emitter of such climate changing gases after China.

The U.S. has recently taken a lead role in talks amongst almost 200 nations in an effort to forge an agreement to restrict the emission of gases responsible for global warming. The formal submission of a plan from the U.S. now puts more pressure on other countries like Canada, Australia and India to do the same.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used the event as an opportunity to voice criticism. He warned other nations that the U.S. Congress could block the plan and any White House promises that come out of the ongoing negotiations. The Republican from Kentucky warned other countries to “proceed with caution” before committing to a deal with the U.S.

An ultimate deal with hundreds of countries as signatories is scheduled to be finalized in December in Paris. Until very recently, a divide has existed on the climate change / greenhouse gas issue between rich and poorer countries but now, with the submission of a plan from Mexico and a goal announced by China, U.S. officials insist that the old split is healing.

The some of the major changes proposed in the Obama administration’s new rules revolve around those for vehicle efficiency, power-plant emissions and building requirements. New regulations are planned for medium and heavy-duty vehicles along with programs intended to jump energy conservation in buildings. As for power plants, new rules would cut emissions by 30 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels. 

The American Petroleum Institute, a lobbying group, warned that the proposed new policies would restrict economic growth. It said in a statement that changes should also ensure “that Americans have the affordable and reliable sources of energy necessary to grow our economy.”

For their part, combative congressional Republicans labeled the new power plant regulations a “war on coal.” They also question of whether Obama can legally execute new power station rules through the Environmental Protection Agency.

Be social, please share!

Facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmail