New clean air regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency could cripple coal fired power plants, and cause electric rates to soar.

That from the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.

At a rate hearing for Northwestern Energy, Commission Chairman Chris Nelson says the new rules, called “111-D” calls for some drastic cuts…

 

Nelson says the Big Stone Power plant in north east South Dakota would virtually be shut down…

 

Commissioner Gary Hanson says consumers could see some real rate shocks…

 

There have been several bills introduced in Congress intending to blunt the impacts of the EPA regulations.