EPA Postpones Power Plant Emissions Rules

The Environmental Protection Agency has decided to delay new rules that would limit emissions of climate-warming gases from power plants. It's the second time this month the EPA has either withdrawn or postponed new pollution rules that industry didn't like.

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STEVE INSKEEP, host: News about the Arctic ice coincides with this news from the United States: The Environmental Protection Agency has decided to postpone new rules that would limit emissions of climate-warming gases from power plants. This is the second time this month the EPA has either withdrawn or postponed new pollution rules that industry did not like. Here's NPR's Christopher Joyce.

CHRISTOPHER JOYCE: The EPA got itself into hot water with environmental groups early this month when it scrapped new rules to limit industrial emissions of ozone. Ozone can cause health problems. Now, the agency says it cannot make a September 30th deadline for new rules that would limit greenhouse gases that warm the climate. The U.S. Supreme Court says EPA has the authority to do that, but industry and many members of Congress have fought the plan. Some environmental groups say both decisions look as if President Obama has caved in to opponents who say the rules would hurt the economy. Another view, however, is that controlling greenhouse gases is very complex. John Coequyt is with the Sierra Club.

JOHN COEQUYT: The EPA is in the process of setting the first-ever real regulations for global warming and pollutions from power plants. And the fact that that's taking longer than expected isn't that surprising.

JOYCE: Groups that suing EPA to get on with the rule making will meet with the agency to set a new deadline. Christopher Joyce, NPR News.

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Source: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/16/140527388/epa-postpones-power-plant-emissions-rules?ft=1&f=1007

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