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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is moving ahead with even tougher greenhouse gas cuts on American power plants, setting up a certain confrontation in the courts with energy producers and Republican-led states.
Obama will unveil the final version of his unprecedented regulations on Monday.
He says it's the biggest and most important step the U.S. has ever taken to combat climate change. He says power plants are the biggest source of harmful, heat-trapping gases but that until now there have been no federal pollution limits.
The finalized rule gives states more time — until 2022 — to comply. But it also requires steeper cuts in overall carbon dioxide emissions than the previous plan.
The Obama administration estimates the emissions limits will cost $8.4 billion annually by 2030 but the actual price won't be clear until states decide how they'll reach their targets.
Opponents plan to sue immediately, and to ask the courts to block the rule temporarily. Many states have threatened not to comply.
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