EPA Proposes Loosening Mercury Rules For Coal Plants; Not Enough, Says Coal Industry
In response to industry complaints, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed softening its rule to cut mercury and other pollution from new coal-fired power plants.
An industry trade group says the changes, which include a slightly higher level of allowable mercury emissions, dont go far enough to ensure coal remains an alternative to natural gas. The EPA released its revised rule Nov. 16.
Im not sure its sufficient to fix the problem, even for new sources, said Scott Segal, director of the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, a utility group that includes Atlanta-based Southern Co. (SO)
While Segal said utilities were reviewing the proposal, he said the revisions would still constrain a utilitys ability to build a new coal plant. EPAs mercury rule is one of several environmental regulations Republicans in Congress and industry lobbyists have argued will raise electricity costs and hurt the economy. The administration of President Barack Obama has said the health benefits outweigh the costs.
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http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-19/epa-s-weaker-coal-rule-not-weak-enough-for-coal-industry