A bill allowing coal-fired power plants in Kentucky to regulate their own carbon dioxide emissions has passed out of both chamber of the state legislature.The legislation was filed by Rep. Jim Gooch, a Providence Democrat, who has private interests in coal-related businesses. His bill permits coal power plants in Kentucky to regulate their own levels of CO2, one of the major contributors to climate change.The bill passed in his chamber, as well as the Senate, by unanimous vote.The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.Sen. Brandon Smith, Senate Republican Whip from coal-producing Hazard, says the bill is designed to help the coal industry endure a period of hardship due to federal environmental regulations.“To see us wanting to jump in to these white papers and these new clean air standards they’re pushing down on us without at least fighting back or sending some sort of signal that the House and the Senate do not agree with this, we felt like it left these areas vulnerable," Smith says.
