The Impact of Carbon Restrictions To combat global warming, the Obama Administration used the wide-scale reach of the Clean Air Act to push through regulations placing limits on air pollution. This
The Impact of Carbon Restrictions
To combat global warming, the Obama Administration used the wide-scale reach of the Clean Air Act to push through regulations placing limits on air pollution. This extended the power of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate sources of greenhouse gases. One major goal was to obtain a 30% reduction in emissions from coal-powered plants by 2030.
The regulations could have major benefits for the nation. The average age of U.S. coal plants is 42 years, making them less efficient than newer coal plants. Power plants also account for 38% of the nation’s carbon emissions. Stricter regulation of power plants could reduce carbon emissions and hinder global warming.
On the other hand, many utilities see the regulations as too burdensome and believe they will result in lost jobs. States such as Arkansas would also be affected due to their reliance on coal-powered plants. This has led the EPA to reconsider the timetable and provide more flexibility to states in implementing these changes. The Trump Administration is attempting to slow down placing limits on air pollution.
To understand both sides of the issue, write a 4-page (2 pages for each response) double-spaced memorandum titled “The Impact of Carbon Restrictions” in which you discuss both of the following:
- Carbon emissions regulations will benefit both the nation and the environment in the long run.
- Carbon emissions regulations will be detrimental to the nation because they will cause many workers to lose their jobs.