Calpine Champions New EPA Rule

“In our view, the final rule reflects thoughtful engagement by the EPA with the industry and can be implemented in a cost-effective way while achieving its objective of reducing the toxics in our air."

That's Calpine CEO Jack Fusco, commenting on the EPA's new regulations limiting mercury and toxic air emissions. According to FuelFix.com, Calpine says the new regulations "are necessary and won’t create reliability issues." Calpine is the country’s largest independent electricity producer, owning 92 power plants in 20 states.

 Calpine CEO, Jack Fusco

The regulations will require coal plants across the U.S. to install pollution control equipment, which limits mercury, arsenic, cadmium and other toxic air pollutants. The Chicago Tribune says such improvements will "create jobs, achieve cleaner air and water, drive technological innovations and protect children's health." The EPA believes this cleaner emissions standard could prevent up to 11,000 premature deaths annually.

Coal industry lobbyists have opposed these changes for more than 20 years.

Existing power plants will have up to 4 years to comply. I recently blogged about how such changes, initially opposed in Maryland, had created good paying jobs -- as well as some research discrediting the claim that air regulations are job killers. For more about the EPA's expectations for better health, economy, and environment visit the L.A. Times. Visit the EPA's Mercury & Air Toxics Standards page ("MATS").

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