CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The coal industry is bracing for new federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants fired by coal.
The rules are expected to emerge by week's end from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to media reports. The EPA is expected to set carbon dioxide emissions limits for new plants that would effectively prohibit future construction.
West Virginia politicians say the new rules support their contention that there is a so-called national war on coal.
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin vowed to lead the battle against regulations he calls an overreach by the government.
But some see the new rules as a nudge by the EPA to move along development of technology to capture a big portion of carbon dioxide emissions.