The National Wildlife Federation is pushing hard for EPA to take action to limit emissions from the biggest polluters, such as coal-fired power plants, and to create strong standards for new cars and trucks that will save drivers billions at the gas pump.
In conjunction with President Obama's climate plan, the EPA has began the process of issuing carbon pollution limits on existing and new power plants. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has the authority to set limits on how much carbon a power plant can emit.
In September 2013, after hearing 2.5 million public comments, the EPA released it's standards for carbon emissions from new power plants, limiting new plants to between 1,000 and 1,100 lbs of carbon dioxide emission per megawatt-hour. The EPA is currently in the process of hearing public opinion and establishing limitations for existing power plants.
But powerful members of Congress, under the influence of polluters, are seeking to prevent EPA from addressing the public health and environmental impacts of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants. These Congressional proposals would let polluters off the hook, obstruct the EPA from saving lives, and further delay action to move the U.S. towards a cleaner energy future.