The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release June 25, 2013 

# Presidential Memorandum -- Power Sector Carbon Pollution Standards

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

SUBJECT: Power Sector Carbon Pollution Standards With every passing day, the urgency of addressing c limate change intensifies. I made clear in my State of the Union address that my Administration is committed to redu cing carbon pollution that causes climate change, p reparing our communities for the consequences of climate change, and speeding the transition to more sustainable so urces of energy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has alrea dy undertaken such action with regard to carbon pol lution from the transportation sector, issuing Clean Air Act st andards limiting the greenhouse gas emissions of ne w cars and light trucks through 2025 and heavy duty trucks through 2 018. The EPA standards were promulgated in conjunct ion with the Department of Transportation, which, at the sam e time, established fuel efficiency standards for c ars and trucks as part of a harmonized national program. Both agen cies engaged constructively with auto manufacturers , labor unions, States, and other stakeholders, and the res ulting standards have received broad support. These standards will reduce the Nation's carbon pollution and depen dence on oil, and also lead to greater innovation, economic growth, and cost savings for American families. The United States now has the opportunity to addres s carbon pollution from the power sector, which pro duces nearly 40 percent of such pollution. As a country, we can continue our progress in reducing power plant pollu tion, thereby improving public health and protecting the environm ent, while supplying the reliable, affordable powerneeded for economic growth and advancing cleaner energy techno logies, such as efficient natural gas, nuclear powe r, renewables such as wind and solar energy, and clean coal technology. Investments in these technologies will also strengt hen our economy, as the clean and efficient product ion and use of electricity will ensure that it remains reliable an d affordable for American businesses and families. By the authority vested in me as President by the C onstitution and the laws of the United States of Am erica, and in order to reduce power plant carbon pollution, build ing on actions already underway in States and the p ower sector, I hereby direct the following:

Section 1. Flexible Carbon Pollution Standards for Power Plants. (a) Carbon Pollution Standards for Fu ture Power Plants. On April 13, 2012, the EPA published a Noti ce of Proposed Rulemaking entitled "Standards of Pe rformance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions for New Stationary Sou rces: Electric Utility Generating Units," 77 Fed. R eg. 22392. In light of the information conveyed in more than two million comments on that proposal and ongoing devel opments in the industry, you have indicated EPA's intention to issue a new proposal. I therefore direct you to is sue a new proposal by no later than September 20, 2013. I further direct you to issue a final rule in a timely f ashion after considering all public comments, as appropriate. (b) Carbon Pollution Regulation for Modified, Recon structed, and Existing Power Plants. To ensure cont inued progress in reducing harmful carbon pollution, I di rect you to use your authority under sections 111(b ) and 111(d) of the Clean Air Act to issue standards, regulations, or guidelines, as appropriate, that address carbon pollution from modified, reconstructed, and existing power plants and build on State efforts to move toward a cleanerpower sector. In addition, I request that you:(i) issue proposed carbon pollution standards, regu lations, or guidelines, as appropriate, for modifie d, reconstructed,

and existing power plants by no later than June 1, 2014; (ii) issue final standards, regulations, or guideli nes, as appropriate, for modified, reconstructed, a nd existing power plants by no later than June 1, 2015; and (iii) include in the guidelines addressing existing power plants a requirement that States submit to E PA the implementation plans required under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act and its implementing regulatio ns by no later than June 30, 2016. (c) Development of Standards, Regulations, or Guide lines for Power Plants. In developing standards, re gulations, or guidelines pursuant to subsection (b) of this secti on, and consistent with Executive Orders 12866 of S eptember 30, 1993, as amended, and 13563 of January 18, 2011, yo u shall ensure, to the greatest extent possible, th at you: (i) launch this effort through direct engagement wi th States, as they will play a central role in esta blishing and implementing standards for existing power plants, a nd, at the same time, with leaders in the power sector, labor leaders, non-governmental organizations, other expe rts, tribal officials, other stakeholders, and memb ers of the public, on issues informing the design of the progr am; (ii) consistent with achieving regulatory objective s and taking into account other relevant environmen tal regulations and policies that affect the power sector, tailor r egulations and guidelines to reduce costs; (iii) develop approaches that allow the use of market-based instruments, performance standards, and ot her regulatory flexibilities; (iv) ensure that the standards enable continued rel iance on a range of energy sources and technologies ; (v) ensure that the standards are developed and imp lemented in a manner consistent with the continued provision of reliable and affordable electric power for consumers and businesses; and (vi) work with the Department of Energy and other F ederal and State agencies to promote the reliable a nd affordable provision of electric power through the continued d evelopment and deployment of cleaner technologies a nd by increasing energy efficiency, including through str onger appliance efficiency standards and other meas ures. Sec. 2. General Provisions. (a) This memorandum sha ll be implemented consistent with applicable law, i ncluding international trade obligations, and subject to theavailability of appropriations. (b) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed t o impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to a department, agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office ofManagement and Budget relating to budgetary, admin istrative, or legislative proposals. (c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does no t, create any right or benefit, substantive or proc edural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party agains t the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person

. (d) You are hereby authorized and directed to publi sh this memorandum in the Federal Register

. BARACK OBAMA