By KRWG News
Texas – New federal rules on how much ozone-causing pollution power plants can emit will force facilities in Texas to monitor sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide year-round.
Texas industries backed by the state's environmental regulatory agency have long opposed similar proposals by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Power plants are concerned the federal requirements could require costly improvements to decrease airborne pollution.
Texas and the EPA have a long-running battle that has evolved from a fight over environmental regulation into a tiff over states' rights. This rule could further anger Gov. Rick Perry, who is viewed as a potential GOP presidential candidate.
Earlier EPA proposals included a weaker plan that would have only required plants in the Lone Star State to monitor nitrogen oxide in the summer.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.