On Monday, all three network evening newscasts touted President Obama signing an executive order ordering power plants to reduce carbon emissions. On NBC Nightly News, anchor Lester Holt proclaimed: “...a rare moment at the White House. President Obama got unexpectedly emotional as he unveiled a sweeping controversial plan to deal with climate change, which he called ‘one of the key challenges of our lifetime.’”
White House correspondent Chris Jansing led off the report that followed by gushing: “President Obama today made a passionate case for reducing carbon emissions, especially from coal-burning power plants, arguing that nothing less than our health, safety, and future are at stake.”
A soundbite ran of Obama fretting:
I don't want my grandkids not to be able to swim in Hawaii or not to be able to climb a mountain and see a glacier because we didn't do something about it. I don't want millions of people's lives disrupted and this world more dangerous because we didn't do something about it.
On ABC’s World News Tonight, anchor David Muir similarly promoted the President’s fiat: “President Obama tonight unveiling an aggressive new plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, calling for America’s power plants to reduce emissions by 32%. Then making a personal plea.”
After the same soundbite ran of Obama, Muir added: “The President arguing if we expect other countries, including China, to care about climate change, then the U.S. must lead the way. Saying, quote, ‘If we don't do it, nobody will.’”
CBS Evening News provided the most straightforward coverage, with anchor Scott Pelley stating: “For the first time, the federal government will restrict greenhouse gasses from power plants. The President announced today that in 15 years plants must cut emissions 32% and 28% of the electricity in the country must come from sources such as wind and solar.”
No clip was included of the President’s “personal plea.”
All three broadcasts briefly noted critics of the plan.
On Nightly News, Jansing explained: “Now already many states are gearing up to fight the plan in court. Other critics say it will cost jobs and your electric bill will go up, claims the White House disputes. It's a fight that will likely continue after the President leaves office and may well end up in Supreme Court.”
On World News Tonight, Muir mentioned: “Tonight, some Republicans vowing to fight the President’s proposed rules.”
On Evening News, Pelley informed viewers: “More than a thousand U.S. power stations fueled by coal will face major changes, and that industry is suing. Because this is an executive action and not a law, a future president could change these rules.”
Here are transcripts of the segments on the three August 3 evening newscasts:
NBC Nightly News
7:13 PM ET
LESTER HOLT: There was a lot of emotion in Washington today. In fact, a rare moment at the White House. President Obama got unexpectedly emotional as he unveiled a sweeping controversial plan to deal with climate change, which he called “one of the key challenges of our lifetime.” Our Chris Jansing is at the White House for us with more. Chris?
CHRIS JANSING: Good evening, Lester. President Obama today made a passionate case for reducing carbon emissions, especially from coal-burning power plants, arguing that nothing less than our health, safety, and future are at stake.
BARACK OBAMA: I don't want my grandkids not to be able to swim in Hawaii or not to be able to climb a mountain and see a glacier because we didn't do something about it. I don't want millions of people's lives disrupted and this world more dangerous because we didn't do something about it.
JANSING: The target of this plan is power plants. They produce more carbon emissions than cars, airplanes, and homes combined. They’ll have to cut those emissions by 32% by 2030. And each state will have to figure out how to meet that goal.
Now already many states are gearing up to fight the plan in court. Other critics say it will cost jobs and your electric bill will go up, claims the White House disputes. It's a fight that will likely continue after the President leaves office and may well end up in Supreme Court. Lester?
HOLT: Alright, Chris, thank you.
World News Tonight
6:38 PM ETDAVID MUIR: President Obama tonight unveiling an aggressive new plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, calling for America’s power plants to reduce emissions by 32%. Then making a personal plea.
BARACK OBAMA: I don't want my grandkids not to be able to swim in Hawaii or not to be able to climb a mountain and see a glacier because we didn't do something about it.
MUIR: The President arguing if we expect other countries, including China, to care about climate change, then the U.S. must lead the way. Saying, quote, “If we don't do it, nobody will.”
Tonight, some Republicans vowing to fight the President’s proposed rules.
CBS Evening News
6:37 PM ETSCOTT PELLEY: For the first time, the federal government will restrict greenhouse gasses from power plants. The President announced today that in 15 years plants must cut emissions 32% and 28% of the electricity in the country must come from sources such as wind and solar. More than a thousand U.S. power stations fueled by coal will face major changes, and that industry is suing. Because this is an executive action and not a law, a future president could change these rules.
