EPA emissions plan draws support

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A federal plan to crack down on emissions from Texas coal-fired electrical generating plants that affect visibility at national parks and wilderness areas in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas was supported by most participants at a public hearing on the issue.

The Oklahoman reports the Environmental Protection Agency held the meeting after releasing its plan for Texas utilities in November. The agency partially rejected a Texas state plan for regional haze proposed in 2009.

Costs for EPA’s proposed Texas environmental upgrades will not affect Oklahoma utilities or their customers.

EPA air modeling shows emissions from Texas coal plants blowing into Oklahoma and Arkansas, affecting visibility at the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge and the Caney Creek Wilderness Area in western Arkansas. The emissions also affect two national parks in Texas.