The path-breaking clean energy policy unveiled by the Obama administration would put the US at a disadvantage against countries like India and China, top US lawmakers and policy advocacy groups have said.

“It really won’t have much impact in terms of emissions because of what less-developed countries of the world like China and India are contributing,” Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell told reporters at a joint news conference with other top Republican Senators Roy Blunt, Saxby Chambliss, John Cornyn and John Thune.

On Monday, the US Environmental Protection agency has announced to cut carbon emission from existing power plants, which is the single largest source of carbon pollution in the US, by 30 per cent by 2030.

It also announced to cut by 2030, particle pollution, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide by more than 25 per cent as a co-benefit.

The White House described this as American leadership to the world.

“The proposed rule announced demonstrates US leadership in this important area,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters.

“I wouldn’t predict what specific actions other countries may take, but it stands to reason that leadership by the United States, a demonstration of a seriousness of purpose here, will have at least potentially positive effects on other nations as collectively we address a global challenge,” he said.

But Republicans and many others are not willing to buy the argument, according to whom such a policy would put the United States at an disadvantage against countries like India and China.

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