Isra-Mart srl: Reports: EPA considers delay to power plant emissions rules

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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reportedly poised to delay an imminent announcement on controversial new rules intended to curb emissions from power plants.

According to a number of reports over the weekend, the agency, which is under intense pressure from Republicans and energy lobbyists, is likely to put back the release of proposed performance standards for power plants that had been expected next month. The delay is likely to stretch to one or two months, according to sources.

News of the possible delay was first reported in the National Journal and was followed by reports from news agencies Reuters and Bloomberg, both of which cited anonymous sources familiar with the EPA.

The EPA declined to comment on the speculation, insisting that the agency had nothing to announce at this time.

Under an agreement with states and environmental groups that had been pursuing legal action against the EPA, the agency has until 26 July to propose new emissions standards for power plants under the Clean Air Act, which would then into effect next May. Similar rules for oil refineries are expected to be announced in November.

However, the EPA is currently facing deep budget cuts and a rising workload as it seeks to implement a series of new emissions regulations.

The proposed rules have also come under intense attack from Republicans and heavy industry groups who are pursuing a raft of congressional and legislative tactics in an attempt to scupper any attempt to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Any delay to the announcement of the proposed rules could increase pressure on the EPA to delay the full introduction of the rules next May. It would also anger green businesses and NGOs, already frustrated by the Obama administration's review of federal regulations and repeated willingness to water down or delay environmental regulations in the face of Republican criticism.

The news came as House Republicans on the Appropriations Energy and Water panel moved forward with a bill that would cut renewable energy funding by $491m to $1.3bn – a full $1.9bn below the sum President Obama had proposed in his original budget.

The proposed budget cuts are a direct rebuff to President Obama's State of the Union pledge to increase renewable energy funding in order to deliver what the administration has referred to as "our generation's Sputnik moment".

Clean tech industry insiders said the proposed cuts would gravely undermine research into a wide range of technologies, including solar cells, wind turbines and green cars.

There was some welcome news for green businesses late last week, however, as Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney put himself on a collision course with many in his party by reiterating his view that global warming is primarily the result of human activity.

Climate scepticism has become an increasingly orthodox position within the Republican Party in recent years, but Romney challenged that view on Friday, insisting global action was required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Reuters reported the Republican governor told a meeting in New Hampshire that he believed humans had contributed to a warming world.

"It's important for us to reduce our emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases that may be significant contributors," he said, before adding any action had to include emerging economies such as China and Brazil.