Reported by:   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Charleston , Kanawha County , West Virginia 

The EPA has announced tougher standards for coal fired plants that produce 46 percent of U.S. electricity and emissions that can impact public health and possibly climate. The coal industry says the changes are coming too fast and will effectively end the building of coal-fired power plants. 

The potential state impact of the new rules was the topic of this year's West Virginia Coal Forum in Charleston. The coal industry has its own word war of words going with the EPA over mine permitting, but their latest concern is that the tougher power plant emission rules will kill the domestic steam coal market. 

Union miners are worried too. UMW President Cecil Roberts said: " Let's talk about using a little bit of common sense here, folks! And we're not talking about just ignoring the environment. We (the UMW) certainly wouldn't be for that. We're talking about let's use a little common sense approach to this to keep people working and deal with the environment. " 

Speakers also said the changes will dramatically raise the cost of electricity for homes and businesses. The EPA did not get a turn at the podium.

See Video here: http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/110810_6164.shtml