AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka offered the lowest, quietest cheer possible for the Environmental Protection Agency’s new proposed rule calling for a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions. The leader of the nation’s largest labor federation said it was important for the U.S. to lead on the issue but added a long list on concerns and qualifications to that.

“President Obama is right to lead on this issue, since other nations won’t act if the United States does not. Acting first can confer long-term advantages — if we do it right,” Trumka said Monday. That was about as enthusiastic as it got.