By Erica Peterson
Louisville, KY – Kentucky Power plants will have to drastically reduce emissions of heavy metals under new air pollution rules unveiled by the EPA yesterday. Many utility companies have lobbied against the standard, but Baltimore-based Constellation Energy Vice President Paul Allen praised the EPA for seeking input from all stakeholders, and says companies should have had time to prepare:
"Companies have had a lot of time to think about, consider, and prepare for the response to these rules depending on how the final rule shakes out. Options have been considered and options are available to companies to comply with the rule."
But, Kentucky 1st District Congressman Ed Whitfield has railed against this plan, just as he does with many EPA regulations. He expressed his discontent with Fox News:
"We do know there will be a significant loss of jobs because many coal powered plants will be are going to be closed as a result of this regulation. The EPA never considers the cost in the communities where the jobs are lost."
Utilities have until 2016 to comply, but the final rule gives the options of considering plants on a case-by-case basis if special circumstances make the deadline impossible.