EPA's new Clean Power Plan

Figure: US Department of Energy 2011 Renewable Energry Data Book

It is really exciting to finally see a proposal to drastically cut US CO2 emissions. Hopefully it will be successful, and set a high bar for future legislation on climate change. 

Some facts from the EPAs By the Numbers fact sheet:

Power plants are the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the US, and make up about 1/3 of all domestic greenhouse gas emissions.

The public health and climate benefits that would result from the plan are worth $55-93 billion dollars, outweighing the cost of the plan $7.3-8.8 billion by six-fold.

The public comment period is open and their will be public hearings the week of July 28th in Atlanta, GA, Washington, DC, Pittsburg, PA, and Denver, CO.

EPA resources: 
Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule
Carbon Pollution Standards Site

Also helpful/ interesting- main findings in the form of an interactive web interface with awesome graphics from the National Climate Assessment. An impressive comprehensive report examining the ways climate change is already affecting the US.