EPA finalizes new rules to reduce pollution

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Environmental Protection Agency issued new rules Thursday to try and reduce air pollution that makes people sick and destroys the climate. These rules put stricter guidelines on coal power plants, requiring safe management of coal ash and reducing pollutants but some opponents are criticizing this move.

“Coal and natural gas power plants operated by our power sector are some of the largest sources of air, water, and land pollution,” said EPA administrator Michael Regan.

EPA administrator Michael Regan announced new regulations that require coal plants to reduce 90% of their greenhouse pollution by 2039.

“Biggest environmental challenge facing our nations is man-made pollution,” Regan added.

The EPA’s rules would also tighten mercury emission limits for those burning the lowest grade coal, restrict toxic ash seepage into water supplies, and limit wastewater discharge.

“It’s EPA’s responsibility to protect the American people from harmful contaminants,” said Vickie Patton of the Environmental Defense Fund.

Vickie Patton, with the Environmental Defense Fund, says these rules will positively impact the environment and the economy. The EPA estimates it will draw $370 billion in benefits.

“The clean solutions are the least expensive solutions,” she said.

However, some lawmakers accuse the Biden administration of trying to shut down the backbone of the country’s energy grid.

“The EPA is waging a war on coal and really a war on all of the above energy,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito says this will negatively impact coal miners in her state.

“This is a, really a, targeting an industry and targeting a lot of people in my state and saying ‘we don’t need you anymore. You powered the nation for a hundred years; you can go away now,” she said.

Capito promises to take action to overturn these rules.

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