"EPA Seeks to Delay Controversial Air Pollution Rules for Boilers"

"In the face of heavy criticism from industry groups and members of Congress, U.S. EPA is asking to go back to the drawing board with a set of regulations that would limit toxic air pollution from industrial boilers.

The final regulations are due next month, but EPA today asked a federal judge to push back the deadline by more than a year so the agency can issue a new proposal and take more comments. The proposed limits on mercury and other dangerous chemicals have drawn heavy fire from industry groups, which said the standards were so strict that they would force the closure of paper mills, chemical plants and other industrial facilities that get their power from boilers.

EPA recently signaled that it was having second thoughts about the rules, which were proposed in April. Gina McCarthy, EPA's top air official, told Greenwire last week that the agency now believes the draft rules 'were simply too tight to be able to be achievable'."

Gabriel Nelson reports for Greenwire December 7, 2010.