MAJOR SOURCES MAJOR SOURCES Burning fossil fuel accounted for 94.2% of carbon dioxide emissions in 2006. Emissions are measured in teragrams of carbon dioxide equivalents: Total carbon dioxide emissions 5,983.1 Fossil fuel combustion 5,637.9 > Electricity generation 2,328.2 > Transportation 1,856.0 > Industrial 862.2 > Residential 326.5 > Commercial 210.1 Source: Environmental Protection Agency The latest step by the government to regulate carbon dioxide emissions saddles industry with uncertainty and potentially higher costs, industry groups said Monday after the Environmental Protection Agency declared carbon dioxide a health hazard. The EPA's decision paves the way for new regulations on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and factories even if Congress doesn't pass legislation to do so. EPA RULING: Regulation of greenhouse gases approved If nothing changes, the EPA, sometime next year, could require big carbon emitters – such as power plants, steel mills, cement makers and others – to put the best available equipment on new and modified plants to curb emissions. Industry groups say EPA regulation would eventually drive up energy costs, lead to lost jobs and delays in project permits and construction. More immediately, "This adds more uncertainty and could impact how companies make decisions," says Keith McCoy, vice president of the National Association of Manufacturers. Instead of EPA regulation, industry wants Congress to pass climate change legislation to limit carbon emissions – a stance also taken by the EPA and the White House. Such efforts are underway in the House and Senate. That way, emission cuts could be made more strategically and "soften the impact on consumers," says Dan Riedinger of the Edison Electric Institute, a power industry trade group. He says energy costs will "go up more under EPA regulation." As a result of EPA regulation, U.S. companies could also face higher operating costs than foreign competitors, says Larry Kavanagh of the American Iron and Steel Institute. The institute wants legislation crafted to help U.S. companies stay competitive – while still cutting emissions – via trade measures, rebates and other incentives. Congress could override EPA's regulations or retain them. Either way, the "train is moving down the tracks" to regulate emissions, says David Doniger of the Natural Resources Defense Council, an advocacy group. He says that's key "to rebuilding the economy along clean-energy lines." The EPA's decision is expected to face legal challenges. Shortly after the announcement, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a public interest group, said it would file a lawsuit to overturn the EPA's finding on the grounds that EPA ignored scientific issues around global climate modeling. The carbon dioxide decision comes seven months after the Obama administration set national rules to improve auto fuel efficiency nearly 40% by 2016, which would reduce tailpipe emissions. Given a Supreme Court ruling, the EPA's finding on carbon dioxide is needed before it can regulate carbon dioxide emissions from autos, factories and power plants. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more