U.S. President Barack Obama's administration said Thursday it will regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, after legislation on climate change did not pass through the U.S. Congress. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it would regulate fossil fuel power plants and petroleum refineries-which together emit nearly 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gases-starting in 2012. "We are following through on our commitment to proceed in a measured and careful way to reduce greenhouse gas pollution that threatens the health and welfare of Americans and contributes to climate change," EPA chief Lisa Jackson said in a statement. The initiative is likely to set up tension with lawmakers of the rival Republican Party, who will assume control the House of Representatives next month.
