Most Americans favor tougher coal regs despite higher energy cost

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Most voters said they agree with the Obama administration's decision to tighten controls on U.S. coal plant emissions, a Rasmussen Reports survey indicated.

Fifty-three percent of likely U.S. voters said they favor new environmental regulations that would place more stringent limits on carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants despite a rise in energy costs, results released Monday indicated. Thirty-three percent are opposed while 14 percent said they are undecided.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Friday proposed creating new standards for power plants to combat pollution and climate change. The EPA proposed the Clean Air Act standards, aimed at cutting carbon pollution from new power plants.

Under the proposal, new power plants would be built using available clean technology to limit carbon pollution.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, representing coal-rich West Virginia, denounced the proposed regulations as "direct evidence that this administration is trying to hold the coal industry to impossible standards."

Results are based on a nationwide survey of 1,000 likely voters conducted Friday and Saturday. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.