O Level English & JC GP: Environment, Climate Change

Obama says carbon pollution caps will 'protect health of vulnerable' – as it happened 

• EPA unveils proposal to cut carbon emissions at power plants 
• Gore: 'most important step' on climate in US history 
• Plants to cut pollution 30% from 2005 levels by 2030 
• Critics say plan too costly – or cuts not deep enough

President Barack Obama will outline new regulations to cut carbon emissions to 30% of 2005 levels by 2030. Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

Summary of what was being said

• President Barack Obama unveiled a proposal for new limits on carbon pollution at existing power plants. It was the first regulation of its kind ever proposed by the White House.

 • Under the plan, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a goal of 30% reductions in carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. Reductions would vary by state.

 • The proposal was generally welcomed by environmental groups, but decried by business and the coal industry for potentially costing jobs and money while having limited environmental benefits.

 • The EPA has tailored its emissions goals state-by-state, taking into account each state’s fuel mix, its electricity market and numerous other factors. A text of the plan is on the EPA web site here.

 • Global leaders on environmental issues welcomed the move, saying it could jump-start a stalled international conversation.

 • Obama touted the health benefits of decreased carbon pollution. “In America we don't have to choose between health of our economy and the health of our kids," he said in a conference call. "We can do both."

View the full coverage here