White House weighs easing emissions rule

The Bush administration is working to undo regulations that would force power plants to sharply reduce mercury emissions and other toxic pollutants, according to a government document and interviews with officials. The Nov. 26 document makes the case that the Environmental Protection Agency, under President Clinton, misread the Clean Air Act's requirements and that there are less onerous ways to reduce the emissions. Until recently, the EPA was set to issue new rules this month requiring the nation's 1,100 coal- and oil-fired power plants to install equipment to achieve the maximum possible reductions in mercury and nickel emissions, which can cause neurological and developmental damage in humans. The plan has drawn fierce resistance from industry groups. Now, the White House and EPA administrator Mike Leavitt are considering rescinding a December 2000 EPA ruling requiring the reductions in favor of a more flexible enforcement system.

Posted by flow Frazao on December 5, 2003 at 09:24 AM | Permalink