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DEQ to Set Rules to Implement Federal CO2 Limits

By Beacon Staff

HELENA – The state Board of Environmental Review plans to meet Friday to set Montana rules to match proposed Environmental Protection Agency regulations on carbon dioxide emissions.

Department of Environmental Quality Director Richard Opper says the DEQ will propose that the board adopt the EPA’s recommendation that facilities that emit more than 25,000 tons of CO2 per year be regulated under state air quality laws.

Opper says the state rules will be fashioned to take effect once the carbon dioxide is added to the list of emissions regulated under the federal Clean Air Act. He says the state rule will not exceed EPA requirements.

The EPA on Monday declared there was compelling scientific evidence that global warming from manmade greenhouse gases endangers Americans’ health. The EPA finding cleared the way for regulation of carbon emissions.