Changes

On March 16, 2011, EPA announced its [http://www.epa.gov/airquality/powerplanttoxics/pdfs/proposal.pdf proposed emissions standards] to limit mercury, acid gases and other toxic pollution from power plants, to prevent an estimated 91 percent of the mercury in coal from being released to the air. The proposed rule covered national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) from coal- and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units (EGUs) under Clean Air Act section 112(d), and proposed revised new source performance standards (NSPS) for fossil fuel-fired EGUs under CAA section 111(b).The EPA estimated that there are approximately 1,350 units affected by the action, including 1,200 existing coal-fired units.<ref name=fs>[http://www.epa.gov/airquality/powerplanttoxics/pdfs/proposalfactsheet.pdf "Fact Sheet: Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards"] EPA, accessed March 2011.</ref>  Utility reaction was critical. The Atlanta-based [[Southern Company]] said the regulations would cost $13 to $18 billion by 2020. <ref>Gabriel Nelson, [http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/08/05/05greenwire-southern-co-sees-price-tag-of-at-least-13b-for-32850.html "Southern Co. sees price tag of at least $13 billion for new EPA rules"] New York Times, Aug. 5, 2011. </ref> Georgia Power said it would cost nearly $7 billion and force the closing or upgrading of plants. <ref>Ray Henry [http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2011-08-04/georgia-power-says-pollution-rules-may-close-plants "Georgia Power says pollution rules may close plants,"] Associated Press, Aug. 5, 2011. </ref>