The EPA is moving to judge power plants on their hourly rate of emissions rather than their total annual output,Wall Street Journal reports.
The proposed rules would loosen pollution regulations, and treat power plants as running more cleanly if their hourly emissions stay at or below the plant's historical maximum; even if their total annual emissions increased as plant operators extended operational hours.
Henry Waxman (D., Calif.), House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman, wrote to the EPA last week and urged the agency to not move ahead with the regulation. Last Friday, Senator Barbara Boxer (D., Calif.), threatened to investigate the EPA if it goes through with the plan.
