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EPA Set to Loosen New Pollution Rules

10 states could face less stringent limits on emissions

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 7, 2011 9:11 AM CDT

(Newser) – The EPA finalized a new rule to curb industrial pollution this summer; three months later, the agency has proposed to loosen the restrictions in 10 of 27 affected states. The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, meant to cut power-plant emissions that can blow across state lines, has faced sharp criticism from the industry and the states themselves, who argue the measure could cut jobs and rattle the power supply.

Now, the EPA proposes to allow more emissions from 10 states while giving all 27 states until 2014— two more years than planned—before incurring penalties, the Wall Street Journal reports. The "slight" adjustments to the rule should provide "certainty for utilities as we work together to ensure that we protect the air we all breathe and the jobs of American workers," the agency said. But for some critics, the EPA hasn't shifted enough. The Obama administration "effectively concedes that its rules were flawed—but inexplicably refuses to resolve the real defects," says Texas' attorney general.

The EPA is offering to loosen emission rules on 10 states. (Shutterstock)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 17 comments

AndJusticeForAll

Oct 8, 2011 3:03 PM CDT

I voted for Obama only because he was the lesser of two evils. A rich, old white man and an empty-headed twit having access to the missile codes was too much to bear. But I knew he would, like any politician, piss backwards eventually and he proved that by saying he preferred to concentrate on the future instead of the past and Gitmo still full speed ahead. So the Bushwhacker regime still goes free. Any more concessions coming? The upper 1% will always prevail and nothing will ever change with the Master Plan operating. God speed the protests as it's a candle in the darkness.

depletedurain

Oct 7, 2011 8:48 PM CDT

wow ,we are running backwords,very good sign the government is broke,whats wrong,the tin cup not working,yep the tin cup has dryed up along with the peoples trust in you and your system

Count-Spatula

Oct 7, 2011 2:27 PM CDT

Thanks Obama! couldn't have done it without you, gigant-o-pussy.

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EPA Set to Loosen New Pollution Rules

10 states could face less stringent limits on emissions

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Environmental Protection Agency • power plant • air pollution • industrial pollution • EPA

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