EPA Official Says Agency Hears State Concerns About Emissions Plan

A leading U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official told a Wisconsin audience on Monday that her agency is listening to concerns about a plan to cut carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning power plants.

Top EPA air pollution official Janet McCabe told Midwest utility regulators that state concerns about the reduction plan are helping shape the climate change proposal. McCabe said she realizes some in Wisconsin want more recognition for emissions cuts already made.

“I can’t speak as to what’s going to be in the final rule, but I can say that we will look at where states are. We’ll design goals that make sense within the law,” said McCabe.

But Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said a lawsuit over the final rule is still likely. “All indications are it’s going to be a lot like the preliminary rule announced last year,” he said.

Backers of the rule say it would also reduce emissions linked to diseases like asthma.