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Michigan joins other states to challenge proposed change to EPA carbon dioxide rule

Credit steve carmody / Michigan Radio
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Michigan Radio

Michigan is joining nearly two dozen other states and several citiessuing the Trump Administration over its decision to relax rules on fossil fuels fueled power plants emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump is rolling back emission limits put into place under the Obama administration.  

The lawsuit filed this week argues the EPA had no basis for weakening the regulation that set the first-ever national limits oncarbon dioxide pollution from power plants.

Under the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, states were required to implement plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2022.

The new rule does not cap greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, it leaves it up to the states to decide whether to reduce emissions.

Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel accuses the Trump administration of having a “blatant disregard…for science” and the threat presented by climate change. Former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, Nessel's predecessor, joined other AG's to challenge the original regulation.

Whatever the future of federal regulations, Michigan utilities have been reducing their reliance on carbon dioxide producing fossil fuels. 

Copyright 2019 Michigan Radio

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Radio since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting. During his two and a half decades in broadcasting, Steve has won numerous awards, including accolades from the Associated Press and Radio and Television News Directors Association. Away from the broadcast booth, Steve is an avid reader and movie fanatic. Q&A