DENVER—The Environmental Protection Agency says it will keep pushing for the cleanup of coal power plants in southwestern Colorado despite the rough economy.
EPA administrator Lisa Jackson praised Colorado’s plan to retire coal plants and replace them with natural gas-powered generators during a visit Monday to Denver, but said the job is not finished.
According to the Durango Herald ( ), Jackson said many coal plants did not invest in new pollution control technology in good economic times and now they cannot afford it. Jackson said people with respiratory problems are paying the price.
In 2009, the EPA blocked a permit for the proposed Desert Rock coal power plant in northwest New Mexico, and it is requiring better pollution-control equipment on existing power plants.
Jackson said President Barack Obama has pledged that his administration will not reduce environmental rules because the economy is dragging.
In December, the EPA will issue a rule limiting mercury pollution from power plants, Jackson said.
The Colorado law brought together a new coalition of natural-gas companies and environmentalists, but it also had opponents. Environmentalists opposed expanded gas drilling, and Republicans split between a faction supporting coal companies and one backing gas drillers.
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Information from: Durango Herald,
