Following a deal with states and environmental organizations, the US EPA plans to set New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and refineries, which account for 40% of such emissions. The EPA’s current greenhouse gas regulations, which take effect January 2, 2011, focus on energy efficiency and apply to cars, light trucks and new facilities. The NSPS would apply to new and existing facilities through a Clean Air Act stipulation, and possibly include an efficiency standard. Though new technology for reducing emissions looms on the horizon, facilities would only be required to use existing tools. The EPA will propose the standards for power plants by July 26, 2011, and for refineries by December 10, 2011, and finalize them by May 26, 2012, and November 10, 2012, respectively. Republicans and industry representatives pledge to prevent the rules from being instated. The EPA could also add performance standards for other sectors at a later date.

Source: The New York Times