U.S. to impose new emission rules on power plants, refineries
The Globe and Mail reported yesterday that the U.S. will impose new emission rules on power plants and refineries.
The proposed regulations – to take effect at the end of 2012 – would be in addition to EPA rules that came into effect on Sunday that require all new plants or major expansions to get permits for emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Prime Minister Harper and his Conservative colleagues have long maintained that they want to harmonize GHG emissions reductions efforts with the U.S. so as not to put Canadian companies at a competitive disadvantage. They have consequently failed to impose any regulations in Canada since being elected in 2006.
Now that the Obama administration is taking action, what will Harper do? Was the “harmonization” strategy simply a delay tactic or will they finally do something to regulate Canada’s increasing GHG emissions?
