Isra-Mart srl: EFH says air rules could prompt power plant closures

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Dallas-based Energy Future Holdings CorpbizWatch Energy Future Holdings Corp Latest from The Business Journals Texas Business Journals RoundupLuminant may have to mothball some plantsNational law firms luring Texas energy talent Follow this company . said this week that it may have to cut operations or mothball some of its coal-burning power plants to comply with federal air pollution limits.

The parent company of Dallas-based Luminant power company made the comment in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s new Cross-State Air Pollution Rule.

The rule, which takes effect Jan. 1, requires the reduction of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from coal-fired power plants and institutes a limited “cap and trade” system.

Six months is not enough time for Energy Future Holdings to modify its power plants to meet the new rule, the company said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Wednesday.

It also said it doesn’t expect “sufficient liquidity in emissions trading markets” to comply through cap-and-trade.

In the filing, EFH said it has the options of petitioning EPA to reconsider the new emissions rule or challenge it in court.

Luminant operates 12 coal-burning power plants in Texas.