Norfolk light rail operating costs to increase.

Clean Air Interstate Rule to toughen tightening restrictions on pollution from coal-burning power plants

Follow up:

It's no secret that light rail expels more carbon dioxide per passenger mile than a passenger car when the light rail's electrical source is supplied by coal-burning power plants.[1] Such is the case with the Norfolk Tide.

The Clean Air Interstate rule, to be finalized next year, aims to cut sulfur dioxide emissions by 71 percent from 2005 levels by 2014 and nitrogen oxide emissions by 52 percent in the same time frame. This overturns and toughens rules issued during former President George W. Bush's administration.

Industry groups said it will boost power prices and force many older coal-fired power plants to be closed.

The rule costs are likely to be passed along to consumers.

[1] Source: Dr. STEVEN E. POLZIN, Ph.D., P.E.