UTILITIES DELAY ACTION ON NSR PACTS PENDING AIR TRANSPORT RULE RELEASE

Some power companies are reluctant to pursue settlements with EPA over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act's new source review (NSR) program until the Bush administration finalizes EPA's upcoming regulation to curb transported air pollution, sources say. The sources say some utilities may be delaying action on the settlements at least in part because they are concerned that the pacts would create competitive disadvantages if their competitors were not subject to the rule's requirements. One source tracking the issue...