Expert warns: EPA regulation could lead to blackouts in ’12 (election backlash?)
Times Leader ^ | 12/27/11 | JOSELYN KING
Posted on December 31, 2011 5:40:10 AM EST by Libloather
Expert warns: EPA regulation could lead to blackouts in ’12
By JOSELYN KING - For The Times Leader
December 27, 2011
WHEELING - The leader of a think tank on energy policy sees electrical blackouts in America's future if the Environmental Protection Agency continues plans to phase out coal-fired electric plants.
Thomas Borelli, director of the Free Enterprise Project at the National Center for Public Policy Research, also believes there could be backlash in the 2012 elections if voters find themselves without electricity in the coming months.
New EPA rules were issued last week and will allow companies three years to comply. These will further limit mercury emissions under the Clean Air Act, set new limits on the emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides and establish new coal-ash disposal rules.
**SNIP**
"Projecting in the future, if blackouts and brownouts happen, it will be a difficult election for senators and representatives," Borelli said. "Constituents might want to know why they didn't act to stop it.
"There could be a significant effect in the 2012 election if there are brownouts and blackouts, and questions of who failed to control the EPA," he continued. "There could be political consequences."
(Excerpt) Read more at timesleaderonline.com ...
