WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) - The U.S Environmental Protection Agency taking a historic step to fight climate change plans on Monday to propose a 30% cut in carbon dioxide emissions from existing U.S power plants by 2030, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.
The proposed reduction would be based on 2005 emission levels, the newspaper said, citing two people briefed on the plan.
States would have flexibility under the plans to decide on how to achieve the reduction, including through cap- and trade programs, the journal said, adding they must enact the rules and submit compliance plans by June 2016.
The White house and the EPA declined to confirm or comment on the rules before they are released.
President Barack Obama said in his weekly radio address on Saturday that the United States had to do more to reduce carbon emissions so that children suffering from asthma and other related ailments did not face further problems as a result of polluted air.
The rules are intended to help Washington meet international obligations to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming, but the White House's focus on human health benefits is part of a sale pitch to drum up support from public.
Fighting climate change could become one of the top domestic policy achievements of the president's second term and getting public support is critical as the White House prepares for an onslaught of criticism from industry and Republicans.
(Reporting by Peter Cooney; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason, Mark Felsenthal and Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Jim Loney)
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