Obama administration seeks to cut carbon emissions from power plants

MIDDLETOWN, PA - MARCH 28: The Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant is seen in the early morning hours March 28, 2011 in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Demonstrators gathered at the 32nd annual vigil in remembrance of the disaster at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant, to remember the accident, in which Unit #1's core melted down on March 28, 1979. This year's vigil was dedicated to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. (Photo Jeff Fusco/Getty Images)

Speaking earlier, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said the goal is to cut carbon pollution by 30 percent by the year 2030. And the rules would apply to existing power plants.

The Obama Administration announced new rules to combat climate change this morning.

Speaking earlier, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said the goal is to cut carbon pollution by 30 percent by the year 2030. And the rules would apply to existing power plants.

"This is not just about disappearing polar bears or melting ice caps," said McCarthy in announcing the rules. "This is about protecting our health and our homes."

The Obama administration has sought to frame the rules as a public health issue.

"Nearly a dozen states are already implementing their own market-based systems to reduce carbon pollution and over a thousand mayors have signed agreements to cut their cities’ carbon pollution," said the President in his weekly address. "The idea of setting higher standards to cut pollution at our power plants is not new, it’s just time for Washington to catch up with the rest of the country."

But the new rules are almost certainly going to face legal challenges moving forward.

For more on these new rules, Take Two speaks with Molly Peterson, KPCC's Environment Correspondent.