Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Many measures included in the Climate Action Plan have been
underway. The plan specifies few timelines or metrics for evaluating
progress of individual measures beyond national aggregate or sectoral
GHG emissions or energy efficiency.
The centerpiece of the President's announcement arguably is a
Presidential Memorandum, also issued June 25, that directs EPA to issue
two types of rules to curtail carbon dioxide emissions from new and
existing power plants before the end of his term. Specifically, the
Presidential Memorandum first instructs EPA to issue, as planned, a new
proposal under the Clean Air Act (CAA), by September 20, 2013, for
GHG emissions from newly constructed electric generating units (EGU),
and to issue the final rule ―in a timely fashion‖ after comments. Second,
and most significantly, the Presidential Memorandum directs EPA also to
issue standards, regulations, or guidelines for CO2 emissions applicable
to modified, reconstructed and existing power plants, building on States'
efforts to reduce power plant emissions. The Memorandum included
neither specific levels of EGU emissions performance nor target-sectoral
GHG reductions. The Memorandum requests the proposed rules for
existing EGU by June 1, 2014, and final rules by June 1, 2015. Further,
the Memorandum requests that the guidelines require States to submit to
EPA their implementation plans, required under §111(d) of the CAA, and
their implementing regulations by June 30, 2016. The language of the
announcement and Memorandum suggest that the new standards and
guidelines might be written to allow innovative, potentially cost-cutting
flexibilities to states and regulated entities.
The
President's Climate Action
Plan
additionally
announced
regulatory actions to:
reduce GHG emissions including fuel efficiency standards for
heavy-duty vehicles post-2018;
tighten efficiency standards for federal buildings; and require a
transition away from chemicals that contribute to global climate
change that were introduced as alternatives to stratospheric
ozone-depleting chemicals.
In President Obama's speech, he referred to the pending Presidential
Permit to allow construction of the Keystone XL pipeline to carry
Canadian oil sands across the U.S. border. President Obama stated, ―The
net effects of the pipeline's impact on our climate will be absolutely
critical to determining whether this project is allowed to go forward.‖
A host of administrative actions would promote GHG emission
reduction, energy efficiency, and increased electricity generation by
renewable energy in federal facilities, on federal lands, and among
private, state, and local partners of federal agencies. Budget proposals for
some of these actions were included in the President's proposal for
