Indiana leaders speak out against proposed federal carbon dioxide guidelines

Indiana government leaders are voicing concerns over proposed stricter federal guidelines for greenhouse gas emissions from its power plants.

"The proposed rules are ill-conceived and poorly constructed," Gov. Mike Pence said in a letter accompanying the state's official comments about an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plan that he has said would be devastating to Indiana. "There is too much pain for very little gain."

Under the new guidelines issued by the EPA. Indiana would need to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated per unit of electricity by 20 percent before 2030. That number varies by state according to a formula that accounts for feasibility for reducing energy demand, increasing plant efficiencies, and switching to renewable energy sources.

Indiana issues more than 30 pages of comments that criticized the plan for not giving enough time for Indiana to comply. The document questions the legitimacy of the EPA’s projections for efficiency and questions the EPA’s authority to issue the regulation.

Indiana is challenging the rule in a lawsuit filed with 11 other states.

The issue is among the Obama administration’s priorities, intended to reduce nationwide carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by 30 percent before 2030. According to the EPA, that number is the equivalent of taking two-thirds of the nation’s cards and trucks off the road.