The EPA is proposing to take common-sense steps under the Clean Air Act to limit carbon pollution from new power plants. Power plants are the largest individual sources of carbon pollution in the United States and currently there are no uniform national limits on the amount of carbon pollution that future power plants will be able to emit.

In this proposal, the rule will require any new power plant to emit no more than 1,000 pounds of CO2 per megawatt of electricity produced. The recommended standard is based on the demonstrated emission performance of natural gas plants, which on average emit less than 850 pounds of CO2 per megawatt produced. In fact, based on available data, EPA believes that 95% of the existing natural gas plants build after 2005 would meet the standard.

The rule provides an exception for coal plants that are already permitted and beginning construction within a year. For complete details of the proposed rule Click Here.