The most polluted power plant in the country asked President Trump to be exempted from a tougher boundaries to the dangerous air pollution after the administration recently called on companies to apply for Given presidential pollution via e -mail.
The power plant in Kulsterrerepe, Mont is at the forefront of. Numbers appear. A A new base adopted by the Biden Administration In 2023 it would have forced the facility – the only coal factory in the country that lacked modern pollution controls – to install new equipment.
Now, the Colstrip factory applied for a two -year exemption for these rules, according to a delegation of Congress in Montana, who supported the request.
Senator Steve Denz, the new standard of pollution “, wrote the economic feasibility of the factory, which, if closed, undermines the electrical network in the region” without COLSTRIP, consumers bear the burden of high energy and non -reliable costs on the network, and will close it to develop the economy in the region. “
Health experts noted that the message did not deal with the health effects of micro -pollution molecules. Several studies have shown that the molecules are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, as they can travel to the heart and other organs, which increases deaths from cardiovascular disease.
A study conducted in 2023 showed that the energy stations that burn coal, in particular, emit precise particles containing sulfur dioxide Located with the high death rate Other types of pollution.
“It can be very harmful to young children in particular who have developing lungs,” said Robert Merchant, a Bellings Lung Specialist, Mont. He said that the delegation’s speech shows “a complete indifference to health damage.”
Colstrip Plant’s request to obtain an exemption from the tougher pollution rules came after the Environmental Protection Agency last month that it could apply for the main clean air bases by sending an email to the agency. The Environmental Protection Agency referred to a section of Clean air law This enables the president to temporarily exempt industrial facilities from new bases if the technology required to meet these rules is available, and if they are in the interest of national security.
The Trump administration has also announced its intention for a large number of bases to decline, which may eventually mean that plants like those in Colstrip will not have to meet new pollution standards at all.
This step was part of a wider effort for Mr. Zilden to direct the agency away from its original role in protecting and organizing the environment. Make energy and cars more affordable.
The northwestern power group and Talen Energy, which runs the factory alongside other minorities, did not respond immediately for comment.
Any exemption by the Trump administration is likely to face legal challenges from environmental groups. When setting new rules, the Biden Administration has already available technology that would allow the Colstrip to meet strict standards, and have been widely adopted by other coal factories in the country.
The Biden Administration has also estimated that the new pollution control technology would cost much less than the $ 500 million that the Colstrip factory said it would take.
“But Colysterere decided not to invest when every other coal factory in the country did these technologies.” These technologies are available. “These technologies are available. But Colysrol decided not to invest when every other charcoal factory does in the country. “
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