Obama will unveil America’s first climate change strategy in a speech at Georgetown University with a prime directive of reducing carbon emissions.
In explaining the most important part of Obama’s plan in regard to power plants, a White House official said, “The president will be issuing a presidential memorandum directing the EPA to start the important work they are going to do, not only on new but existing coal plants as well. The point here is that we are beginning the process.”
But that’s not all – other aspects of the plan include shoring up coastlines against sea level rise and flooding as well as making efforts to move an international climate deal forward. It’s pretty clear that Obama wants to make good on his campaign promise so as to work towards climate change in his second term.
In fact, administration officials have stated that Obama will take clear steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17% from 2005 levels, and will use executive authority, bypassing Congress, in order to meet this target.
Another important part of the plan will be new energy efficiency standards for both appliances and buildings by the end of this decade while working towards the expansion of both wind and solar projects on public property.
The President will also offer $8 bn in loan guarantees for carbon capture and similar technology while focusing on ‘homegrown energy’, and which covers all options currently available.
However, there will be no carbon tax nor will a decision in regard to the KeyStone XL tar sands pipeline be made, or included as a part of the President’s speech.