EPA proposes tougher rules for Wyo. power plants

A company that operates coal-fired plants in Wyoming says a federal proposal to accelerate the reduction of air pollution from its plants requires an unreasonably aggressive time frame. The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a regional haze management plan for the state. The state has implemented its own recommendations for dealing with haze created by power plants. Steven Dietrich of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality says that the state is reviewing the differences between the EPA and state plans. But PacifiCorp spokesman David Eskelsen says the EPA's proposal would accelerate installation of pollution controls at the Jim Bridger near Rock Springs and add more controls at the Dave Johnston plant near Glenrock. The EPA's plan for Wyoming is expected to be completed this fall.