EPA Clean Air Rules Impose a Heavy Burden for Electric Utilities
New clean-air regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency will force electric utilities in the eastern U.S. to spend tens of millions of dollars on pollution-control equipment to trim sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from coal-fired powerplants.
EPA's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, announced on July 7, requires utilities in 27 states to cut emissions or buy allowances from the market, starting in 2012. Even tougher rules take effect in 2014, when EPA and state actions will require SO emissions to be cut 73% from 2005 levels and NOx emissions to drop by 54%. EPA's new rule targets SO and NOx because they can cross state lines, react with the atmosphere and contribute to harmful smog and soot levels.