In this issue:

- “United States Environmental Protection Agency Proposes Carbon Dioxide Emissions Limits for Existing Power Plants”

- “New York Adopts Rule Allowing Parties to Agree to 'Accelerated Adjudication' of Lawsuits in the Commercial Division of New York State Supreme Court”

- Excerpt from “United States Environmental Protection Agency Proposes Carbon Dioxide Emissions Limits for Existing Power Plants”:

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a proposed rule, called the Clean Power Plan, limiting nationwide carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines and electric utility steam-generating units by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 (the Rule). Under the Rule, EPA would use its regulatory power pursuant to Section 111 of the Clean Air Act to set state-specific target emissions cuts that will be implemented at the state level beginning in 2020. While the Rule seeks a 30% reduction in emissions nationwide, each state would have a different goal based on its ability to implement the emission reduction methods available under the Rule. States that currently rely most heavily on coal-fired generation and will have the most difficulty introducing renewable generation and thus will be required to make the smallest emission reductions.