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New Power Plant Rules May Force Rate Hikes

KWMU

Proposed rules to lower carbon emissions by electricity-generating power plants will force unnecessary rate increases.

That's according to U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. 

Barring additional delays, the new rules will now be out in August. They require new and existing power plants that burn coal and other fossil fuels to reduce emissions to levels 30-percent below those in 2005 over the next 15 years.

Blunt is among a growing number of lawmakers opposed to those rules. He is co-sponsoring legislation to let states opt out of the rules and block the EPA from implementing them. 

“Power is a whole lot cleaner than it was a decade ago or a decade and a half ago,” Blunt said. “We’re now at the point of, ‘Can we afford the next step in clean power?’”

Blunt says the rules will force municipal, co-operative and commercial power plants to increase rates, hitting poor and working families hardest. 

“This rule has the biggest potential impact on poor families,” he said. “Families that are most hurt by this rule are families that can barely pay their utility bill now.”

The EPA says states may consider costs in their plans. It also says reduced emissions will save Americans medical expenses related to respiratory problems -- especially among children and the elderly.

The EPA says the rules are necessary due to carbon’s impact on climate change.