EPA'S ETHANOL PLANT EMISSIONS PLAN MAY BOLSTER AIR PERMIT FLEXIBILITY

EPA's just-issued proposal allowing new ethanol production facilities to emit more pollutants and still be classified as "minor sources" not subject to federal rules may pave the way for construction of more high-polluting, coal-fired ethanol plants and bolster permit applicants already facing suits from environmentalists, sources say. However, some EPA sources say flexible minor source permits could also help agency efforts to encourage the facilities to voluntarily install more efficient combined heat and power (CHP) systems in the plants. EPA...