NYT/Reuters: White House Mulls Changes to Plant Emission Rules

[DeepModem Mom]

White House Mulls Changes to Plant Emission Rules
By REUTERS
Published: April 7, 2006

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House is reviewing an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal that the agency says will streamline the way the it oversees smokestack pollution from power generators, oil refineries and other industrial plants....

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When a refiner or generator now wants to modify a section of a plant that could change how other plant equipment operates, the so-called "debottlenecking" has to be reviewed by EPA on a case by case basis.

Similarly, if a plant operator makes modifications to several units in a facility at the same time, otherwise known as "aggregation," this also triggers a specific agency review because of concern the change would mean more emissions.

EPA said in its notice to OMB that if a company commits to keep its facility emissions below its agreed level, called a "Plantwide Applicability Limit," then the proposed rules "would provide flexibility for sources to respond rapidly to market changes without compromising environmental protection."

The agency's proposal is the latest effort to change clean air plant pollution rules that are loathed by industry....

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-environment-emissions.html

[awoke_in_2003]

1. Yeah, it will streamline

it alright, it will just stop overseeing smokestack pollution. Viola, no more bottleneck :sarcasm:

[mom cat]

6. Bingo!

[rodeodance]

2. Industy wrote the EPA rule change (I have no doubt about this)

The agency's proposal is the latest effort to change clean air plant pollution rules that are loathed by industry....

[DeepModem Mom]

5. My guess is you are absolutely correct! nt

[DanCa]

3. Why is it that i have a feeling...

that said rules wont be "changed" for the betterment of the Earth's environment?

[WhiteTara]

4. since global warming is inevitable

why not make some money off it.

[BattyDem]

7. Oh no ... this can't be good

I can barely breathe now because my asthma has gotten so bad! :cry: It's gotten progressively worse over the last 4 years. Coincidence? I think not! :grr:

[DeepModem Mom]

8. I'm sorry, BattyDem. My guess is you're one among many...

with worsening symptoms.