The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission held a forum in Sioux Falls to discuss the new EPA proposed rule for Clean Power.
The rule is designed to cut the amount of carbon pollution emitted by power plants. Commission Chairman Gary Hanson says one of the biggest concerns is the cost of improving the carbon footprint of the utility providers around the state.

He says utility companies will be faced with the question of how to balance the costs of compliance and new generation facilities with the rates consumers will pay.

Scott Parsley of East River Electric, says they share the overall concern of many companies from around the state.

Representatives from nine different energy companies spoke at the forum in Sioux Falls on Thursday. They estimated rate increases anywhere from 40 to 70% under the proposed EPA rule.