Obama Said to Be Planning to Use Executive Authority on Carbon Rule

"President Obama will use his executive authority to cut carbon emissions from the nation’s coal-fired power plants by up to 20 percent, according to people familiar with his plans, which will spur the creation of a state cap-and-trade program forcing industry to pay for the carbon pollution it creates.

Mr. Obama will unveil his plans in a new regulation, written by the Environmental Protection Agency, at the White House on Monday. It would be the strongest action ever taken by an American president to tackle climate change and could become one of the defining elements of Mr. Obama’s legacy.

Cutting carbon emissions by 20 percent — a substantial amount — would be the most important step in the administration’s pledged goal to reduce pollution over the next six years and could eventually shut down hundreds of coal-fired power plants across the country. The regulation would have far more impact on the environment than the Keystone pipeline, which many administration officials consider a political sideshow, and is certain to be met with opposition from Republicans who say that Mr. Obama will be using his executive authority as a back door to force through an inflammatory cap-and-trade policy he could not get through Congress."

Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times May 28, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Obama's Carbon Battle: Everyone Is Suiting Up For A Fight" (Huffington Post)

"Obama Aide Previews Carbon-Emissions Rules for Democrats" (Bloomberg)

"White House Stresses Widespread Energy Progress Ahead of New Climate Rule" (Dot Earth/NYT)

"Obama To Unveil Historic Climate Change Plan To Cut US Carbon Pollution" (Guardian)

"Wonkbook: The Battle Against Obama’s Climate Proposals Has Already Begun" (Wonkblog/Washington Post)

"Pregame Scuffle Breaks Out on EPA Climate Rule" (Politico)

"Obama To Bypass Congress To Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions" (Tribune Washington Bureau)

"Climate Change Meets Kitchen Table as Issue Gets Personal " (Bloomberg)

"White House Touts 'All-Of-The-Above' Energy Ahead Of Carbon Rules" (Huffington Post)

"WH Accuses Climate Rule Critics of Scare Tactics" (The Hill)

"Markey, Pope Talk Climate Change" (The Hill)

"Green Group: Obama Climate Rule Will Save Consumers $37 Billion" (The Hill)