By Tanya De Jesus
tdejesus@kcautv.com
Proposed rules by the EPA could cost the Nebraska Public Power District $1 billion and that staggering price tag may be passed on to you.
Four to five years from now you might have to pay more for your electricity if the Environmental Protection Agency doesn't change proposed rules that will improve air quality. But South Sioux City officials aren't going to let this happen without a fight.
Coal power plants produce hazardous air pollutants including mercury. So to protect our environment the EPA has proposed new rules that will force coal plants to reduce the amount of hazardous emissions. But according to Lance Headquist who is the South Sioux City City Administrator, those changes could wind up costing the Nebraska Public Power District $1 billion which in all likelihood will ultimately result in you having to pay more for your electricity.
"Having that kind of increase cost to our rate payers does not make any sense and we need to look at new technologies, new ways to do that situation and there should be no rush to get this done," said Hedquist.
And rushed is exactly how they're feeling given the power plants would only be given four years to implement the new rules.
"It takes a long time to make a plan for and implement these kind of programs. Clearly is a rushed deal so we don't need to be in any rush," said Hedquist.
The NPPD says it already uses low sulfur coal which is better for the environment and cuts down on emissions.
Right now anybody who has concerns can make an appeal to the EPA. That's why South Sioux City Mayor William McLarty wrote a letter letting the agency know about the economic impact this would have.
These new rules apply to power plants across the nation so even those who live in Sioux City could feel the impact. Mid American Energy says it believes it's already well–positioned to comply with future emissions reduction requirements and it supports the EPA's efforts to reduce mercury and other emissions.
