The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed rule this yesterday that would regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing power plants. The rule would require reductions in CO2 emissions of 25 percent by 2020 and by 30 percent by 2030. Here are the big takeaways that you need to know:

1. Environmentalists Are the Big Winners:

Despite all of the discussion and debate about the particulars of the proposed rule, the bottom line is that CO2 emissions will be regulated for the very first time when the rule is finalized. This is a monumental step in and of itself – regardless of the details of the proposal.