US President Barack Obama has unveiled a proposal to limit carbon emissions on new power plants built in the US. It would be the first federal attempt to impose limits on the pollution blamed for global warming.
"Climate change - caused by carbon pollution - is one of the most significant public health threats of our time," said Environmental Protection Agency head Gina McCarthy.
According to the plan outlined by Ms McCarthy, new gas-fired power plants would be limited to 1,000lb (450kg) of carbon dioxide emissions per megawatt hour. New coal-powered plans would be limited to 1,100lb.
Current Power Plant CO2 Emissions:
- Coal-fired power plants - 1800 lbs CO2/MWh
- Natural gas power plants - 861 lbs CO2/MWh
- Geothermal systems ≈197 lbs CO2/MWh
