Some Coal Plants to Close {guess who's tryin to stop this}

New Clean Air Rules Force Some Coal Plants to Close

Jul 29, 2011 (IPS) - Utility companies across the U.S. have announced plans to shut down and retire several coal-fired power plants following a new rule published by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intended to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

The new rule, called the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAP), announced on Jul. 7, is one of several new rules expected from the EPA that will make it difficult for the coal industry to keep aging plants running.

Other proposed rules which will likely force the closure of several coal plants in the near future include a new standard limiting mercury pollution, expected later this year; a limit to carbon dioxide pollution; a limit to ozone pollution; and regulations on coal ash, a toxic by-product of coal power plants.

EPA estimates the CSAP rule will save as many as 34,000 lives nationally each year.

"No community should have to bear the burden of another community's polluters, or be powerless to prevent air pollution that leads to asthma, heart attacks and other harmful illnesses. These Clean Air Act safeguards will help protect the health of millions of Americans and save lives by preventing smog and soot pollution from traveling hundreds of miles and contaminating the air they breathe," EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said in a statement.

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Republicans in the U.S. Congress, particularly the House of Representatives, are attempting to delay the new rules, and strip the EPA of its resources, among other measures. read more with some announcements listings>>>