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Whitehouse Finds Much to Like in EPA Climate Rule

Climate warrior Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., offered congratulations to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy for proposing carbon limits on existing power plants.

His missive offers a full-throated defense of the Clean Power Plan, as well as a denunciation of industry for a “massive and complex propaganda effort to mislead the public about the realities of climate change.”

Whitehouse, a co-chair of the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change, also urged EPA to pay heed to the comments of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an existing state emissions trading system seen as a model for compliance with EPA’s proposal.

Supporting Role in Lima. EPA’s rule had a few cameos in international climate talks in Peru this week as well. The New York Times notes that acting EPA air chief Janet McCabe gave a thorough explanation of the proposal to a packed room of negotiators via video link.

Secretary of State John Kerry also touted the plan during a Thursday speech in Peru, where he noted the plan’s expected effect on coal-fired power plants:

“We’re going to take a bunch of them out of commission,” he said.

NOAA’ Storm Surge Warnings. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will start issuing storm surge alerts during the 2015 hurricane season, the agency announced Thursday.

Keystone Watch Continues. The Nebraska Supreme Court did not release a ruling today on the legality of a state law used to approve the Keystone XL pipeline’s route. We’ll be watching again next Friday morning.

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