"President Barack Obama's plan to curb climate change could transform American energy, potentially dealing a blow to the coal-fired power plants that supply much of the nation's electricity but also pump planet-warming gases into the atmosphere."

...

"The centerpiece of Obama's blueprint is his promise to limit the greenhouse gas emissions of America's power plants. The plants produce an estimated 40 percent of the nation's carbon dioxide emissions that scientists link to global warming.

His proposed new regulations could increase utility costs for American consumers and harm regional economies tied to coal, which generates about 37 percent of all U.S. electricity. Coal already is suffering as utilities switch to cheap and cleaner-burning natural gas, and pollution limits would speed its decline.

Stocks of some major coal companies dropped in advance of Obama's announcement. Coal state senators called the proposed regulations a "war on coal" that would hurt the economies and jobs in their states and the entire country."

Sean Cockerham and Erika Bolstad report for the McClatchy Washington Bureau June 25, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Is Obama Waging a 'War on Coal'?" (Washington Post/The Fix blog/Juliet Eilperin) [3]

"Coal Exports Have Doubled During Obama's So-Called 'War on Coal'" (The Week) [4]

"Griffith, Va. Republicans, Call Obama Climate Change Plan 'War on Coal'" (AP) [5]

"AP Interview: Moniz Sees Coal's 'Significant Role'" (AP) [6]

"Manchin: Obama Has 'Declared A War On Coal'" (Talking Points Memo) [7]

"Climate Plan Reignites 'War on Coal'" (Columbus Dispatch) [8]

"Obama Science Adviser Calls for 'War on Coal'" (Washington Post Post Politics blog) [9]

"John Boehner and Obama's 'War on Coal'" (Fact Checker/Washington Post) [10]

"The "War on Coal" Doesn't Have to Happen" (Motley Fool) [11]

"The Case for a War on Coal" (Slate/Moneybox) [12]