EPA Says Ignore CO2 When Considering Coal-Plant Applications

Carbon dioxide emissions cannot be considered when analyzing federal applications by utilities to build new coal plants, Stephen L. Johnson, the head of the EPA ruled last Thursday. Some environmentalists fear that the ruling will be used by the White House to approve several such projects in the last days of the Bush administration. The ruling overrides to a decision made last month by the Environmental Appeals Board, a panel within the EPA, that had blocked a small new plant in eastern Utah. The Supreme Court ruled last year that the agency has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide. As much as 8,000 megawatts of new coal-fired power plants could win swifter approval as a result of the ruling. Read more in the New York Times.