Utilities Opposed To EPA Haze Plan For Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Several electric utilities are announcing a publicity campaign against a plan by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce regional haze.

The EPA plan seeks to reduce haze in national parks and wilderness areas by further limiting air pollution from coal-fired power plants located in Wyoming. Electric utility officials say the EPA's latest proposals under the plan would drive up electricity rates by requiring expensive pollution-control measures.

On Tuesday, Basic Electric Power Cooperative, the Missouri Basin Power Project, PacifiCorp, Rocky Mountain Power and the Wyoming Rural Electric Association announced a new campaign called "Stop EPA WY" that will run ads urging people to oppose the regional haze plan.

The EPA previously rejected a state haze-reduction proposal as insufficient.
An EPA spokesman said the federal proposal relies on "proven, cost-effective technologies."