The Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward with plans to regulate greenhouse gas emissions by focusing on emitters that produce 25,000 tons or more of CO2 a year. These emitters account for 70% of the country’s GHG emissions.

The administration is proposing the new rule to ensure that emissions will be reduced regardless of what happens with the climate bill in Congress, although President Obama hopes a bill will be passed by the end of the year.

The rule will require around 14,000 power plants, refineries and industrial complexes to apply for construction and operating permits where they will have to prove they are using the latest and greatest technology to minimize emissions. Smaller businesses will be exempt from scrutiny because of the large emissions threshold.