EEI Discusses Consensus Approach to Meeting Air Quality Rule, Seeks Federal Energy Regulators' Support

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2011

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today presented to a federal regulatory panel the consensus views of its utility members on how to achieve compliance with a major air quality rule due to be issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) next month, while assuring continued reliability of electric service. The rule, known as the "utility MACT" (maximum achievable control technology), will impact 1,350 coal- and oil-based generating units at 525 power plants across the nation. The agency has proposed that all facilities must reach compliance within three years, with a conditional fourth year, once the rule is finalized.