News - Down To Earth
EPA tightens limits on power plant water pollution
Posted: Sep 15, 2009 11:09 AM by Associated Press
For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Environmental Protection Agency plans to strengthen standards for water pollution from coal-fired power plants.
The agency said Tuesday that equipment required to reduce air pollution has increased the harmful contaminants in water discharged by power plants. It also said that existing regulations are not enough to protect water quality and wildlife.
In a study completed earlier this year, the EPA found that only a fraction of the nation's power plants were using the necessary technologies to remove pollutants before they are released into waterways. The announcement comes a day after three environmental groups threatened to sue the EPA for failing to update its regulations, first put in place in 1982.
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