EPA rules to cause energy price increases in Midwest, ‘compromise’ electric grid?

“Several representatives from power companies and officials from federal and state regulatory agencies have expressed concerns that as companies incur additional costs in responding to these additional regulations, and as the electricity supply is affected by generating unit requirements, electricity prices could increase and reliability — the ability to meet consumers’ electricity demands — could be compromised,” the GAO reported to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V., yesterday.

Two of the regulations (the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards) have already been finalized, while two others (the Cooling Water Intake Structures regulation and the Disposal of Coal Combustion residuals) are still under consideration. The EPA has pushed these rules in order to mitigate health risks that may arise from exposure to coal emissions.