"Critics Say Canada Softens Coal-Fired Power Rules"

"Canada's government finalized much-anticipated regulations on Wednesday for phasing out the country's old coal-fired power plants in a move critics condemned as a watering down of earlier proposals to cut carbon emissions."

"Under rules to take effect on July 1, 2015, generating units commissioned before 1975 will reach the end of their operations after 50 years or by the end of 2019, whichever is earlier, federal Environment Minister Peter Kent said.

Units commissioned after 1975 but before 1986 will reach their end of life after 50 years or the end of 2029, whichever is earlier, Kent said."

Jeffrey Jones reports for Reuters September 6, 2012.