Energy and Environment

EPA unveils changes to key air pollution controls permitting program, citing business certainty

By Abby Smith
Published December 3, 2019 7:10pm ET
Add Washington Examiner on Google
EPA unveils changes to key air pollution controls permitting program, citing business certainty
This photo taken May 5, 2014 shows the stacks of the Homer City Generating Station in Homer City, Pa. Three years ago, the operators of one of the nation’s dirtiest coal-fired power plants warned of “immediate and devastating” consequences from the Obama administration’s push to clean up pollution from coal. Faced with cutting sulfur dioxide pollution blowing into downwind states by 80 percent in less than a year, lawyers for EME Homer City Generation L.P. sued the Environmental Protection Agency to block the rule, saying it would cause a painful spike in electricity bills and grave harm to power producers like itself. | Keith Srakocic/AP

The Environmental Protection Agency unveiled Tuesday a series of changes to a core permitting program that requires facilities to install air pollution controls for major upgrades or new construction.

Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the updates are critical to improve certainty for businesses, but environmental groups have warned they could further weaken pollution controls.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.

Tag:

Air Pollution Environmental Protection Agency