Emissions spew out of a large stack at the coal fired Morgantown Generating Station, on May 29, 2014 in Newburg, Maryland. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The Obama administration wants to cut carbon emissions from coal plants by 30 percent in just over 15 years.

Under the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal, the Clean Power Plan, power plants would be mandated to cut carbon emissions “by 30 percent nationwide below 2005 levels.” States will be required to submit a plan to do so by June 2016, “with the option to use a two-step process for submitting final plans if more time is needed.”

“Climate change, fueled by carbon pollution, supercharges risks to our health, our economy, and our way of life. EPA is delivering on a vital piece of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan by proposing a Clean Power Plan that will cut harmful carbon pollution from our largest source — power plants,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a release. “By leveraging cleaner energy sources and cutting energy waste, this plan will clean the air we breathe while helping slow climate change so we can leave a safe and healthy future for our kids. We don’t have to choose between a healthy economy and a healthy environment–our action will sharpen America’s competitive edge, spur innovation, and create jobs.”

The Obama administration says the Clean Power Plan “will lead to climate and health benefits worth an estimated $55 billion to $93 billion in 2030, including avoiding 2,700 to 6,600 premature deaths and 140,000 to 150,000 asthma attacks in children.” Total compliance in 2030 for each state will be approximately $8.8 billion.

Public hearings on the plan will be held this July in Atlanta, Denver, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. Comments can be submitted here.