EPA Bucking to Impose More Climate Rules

In a development sure to raise conservatives’ hackles, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a schedule Thursday for setting greenhouse gas standards for power plants and oil refineries. “While EPA is pledging a ‘common-sense’ approach, the move is likely to escalate a battle between the Obama administration and Republicans, who argue climate regulations will hurt the economy,” The Hill reports. GOP congressmen promise to block the rules when Congress reconvenes next year.

The EPA plans to provide performance standards for oil- and coal-fired power plants next July and for refineries in December 2011. The agency intends to finish the power plant rules in May 2012 and the refiner rules in November 2012.