EPA lays groundwork for stronger climate rules

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this weekend took action that is expected to justify stricter climate regulations. 

Releasing an updated rule aimed at cutting methane emissions from oil and gas, the agency also unveiled an updated estimate of the "social cost" of carbon dioxide.

This is an economic estimate that is used by the government to calculate the benefits of mitigating climate change — or the cost of not doing so — as more global warming means more storms, heatwaves and damage to the planet.