Research

Today, The Marietta Times Reports That FirstEnergy Corp. Will Close Three Power Plants Because Of Costly Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations, Affecting 105 Jobs. “The Willow Island Power Station in Pleasants County is one of three aging coal-fired power plants in West Virginia that will be shut down later this year, FirstEnergy Corp. announced Wednesday. Its subsidiary Monongahela Power will be retiring Willow island, the Albright Power Station in Preston County and the Rivesville Power Station in Marion County by Sept. 1. The company said 105 employees will be affected. The decision was based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which were recently finalized, and other environmental regulations.” (Brett Dunlap, “FirstEnergy Closing Power Plant,” Marietta Times, 2/9/12)

NOTE: Weeks Ago, EPA Regulations Led FirstEnergy To Announce It Was Shutting Down Plants In Ohio, Pennsylvania, And Maryland, Threatening 529 Jobs. “In all, FirstEnergy said it would also shut plants in Eastlake, Ashabula, and Cleveland in Ohio, as well as in Adrian, Pa., and Williamsport, Md. The plants collectively produce 2,689 megawatts of electricity and employ 529 workers.” (Brett Dunlap, “FirstEnergy To Shutter Bay Shore Coal-Fired Plant,” The Toledo Blade, 1/26/12)

Obama’s Regulations Are “The Most Expensive In The EPA’s History”:

Dayton Daily News: “With An Estimated $9.6 Billion Price Tag, The Rules Rank Among The Most Expensive In The EPA’s History.” (Steve Bennish, “EPA Rules To Force Old Coal Plants To Adapt, Close,” Dayton Daily News, 1/6/12)

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D-WV): Obama EPA “Fail[ing] To Take Into Account The Real-Life Effects These Rules Have On Hard Working Americans.” "When the EPA adopts regulations they continue to fail to take into account the real-life effects these rules have on hard working Americans like those who have dedicated themselves to FirstEnergy at the West Virginia locations.” (Brett Dunlap, “FirstEnergy Closing Power Plant,” Marietta Times, 2/9/12)