Climate Note · Apr 23, 2014
Americans Support CO2 Limits on Coal-Fired Power Plants
Filed under: Policy & Politics
Each year in the United States about 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions – the primary cause of global warming – comes from electric power plants, especially those powered by the burning of coal.
This June, the EPA is expected to propose new limits on CO2 emissions from existing coal-fired power plants. These regulations are likely to face fierce resistance from the coal industry.
What do Americans think about these regulations?
Our new survey this month finds that – by nearly a two to one margin – Americans support setting strict limits on carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal-fired plants, even if the cost of electricity to consumers and companies increases.
Most Democrats support setting such limits, over half of Republicans oppose it, while Independents are evenly divided.