Weirton Daily Times: DEP and coal group fire back at U.S. EPA
The DEP and the West Virginia Coal Association both submitted written comments to the federal Environmental Protection Agency concerning the new rules Friday, the last day the agency was accepting comments on the standards. Opponents of the rules, including the coal association and legislators such as Rep. David McKinley, R-Wheeling, and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., argue the standards can't be met using existing technology and effectively bar the construction of additional generating units that burn coal.
Count the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection among those making strong objections to new federal regulations opponents say will make it impossible to build new coal-fired power plants in the future. The DEP and the West Virginia Coal Association both submitted written comments to the federal Environmental Protection Agency concerning the new rules Friday, the last day the agency was accepting comments on the standards. Opponents of the rules, including the coal association and legislators such as Rep. David McKinley, R-Wheeling, and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., argue the standards can't be met using existing technology and effectively bar the construction of additional generating units that burn coal. "The nation cannot afford another policy blunder. ... A nation with an energy delivery and electrical system that is the envy of the world deserves better from its government," the coal association's letter states. Fred Durham, acting director of the DEP's Division of Air Quality, said his agency is concerned that the EPA is moving forward with the new rules despite its own projection the rule will have a small impact on carbon dioxide emissions over the next eight years. To read entire article, click here. |
