Western Coal Pollution: EPA Deal Would Speed Haze Reduction

Long-delayed regulations to reduce toxic emissions from coal plants, mandated by the Clean Air Act, are once again being considered for implementation. The laws, which would require new scrubbing equipment at coal plants in four western states would cost about $1.5 billion a year while returning over $8 billion annually in productivity gains due to reduced sicknesses. Make no mistake; those that oppose clean air laws have nothing but contempt for the health of the American public. Their only concern is to maximize profit in a dirty pollution-producing industry. These efforts to repel environmental regulations are another manifestation of private industry strategy of privatizing profits and externalizing costs. The public and, to a large measure, the public treasury bears the cost of environmental degradation and disease-causing pollution from dirty coal. The resulting sickness and pollution that results simply brings in more commerce for businesses while the government (people) pick up the tab (medicare, EPA). Pollution is a bad deal for the American people and sensible laws that seek to reduce pollutants and global warming should be swiftly and proactively implemented.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/20/western-coal-pollution-cuts-epa-haze_n_880243.html