Associated Press Published

House Passes Bill Letting Lawmakers OK Carbon Plans

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The House of Delegates has passed a bill letting lawmakers approve state plans to meet proposed federal carbon emission standards.

Delegates passed a proposal 93-3 Friday requiring the GOP-led Legislature’s vote before the state sends compliance plans to the EPA. It requires a state feasibility report 180 days after EPA’s rule is finalized.

Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said legislative approval would restrict environmental regulators. Coal industry groups said lawmakers should be included.

EPA’s anti-global warming proposal aims to drop emissions from existing coal-fired plants by 30 percent nationally by 2030, compared to 2005.

West Virginia’s reduction would be 19.8 percent by 2030, compared to 2012.

State plans are due June 2016, or 2017 with extensions. States that collaborate have until 2018.

A similar bill has passed one Senate committee.