News
West Virginia Assessing Impact Of New EPA Pollution Rule
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
A federal rule would require West Virginia to cut power plants' carbon dioxide emissions by about 20 percent by 2030.
The Environmental Protection Agency rule announced Monday is part of President Barack Obama's plans to reduce pollution tied to global warming.
West Virginia gets 96 percent of its electricity from coal, the highest ratio nationally.
West Virginia's mark would drop emissions by 19.8 percent by 2030, compared to 2012.
The rule aims to drop emissions by 30 percent nationally by 2030, compared to 2005.
State Democrats and Republicans have long argued the administration wrongly targets the coal industry.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin spokesman Chris Stadelman said the office is still determining West Virginia's specific impact.
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said he would take all legal actions necessary against the rule.