The absence of any semblance of certainty for power plant owners with respect to emissions control and other environmental issues is threatening to cripple the industry. In my nightmare scenario, I envision corporate VPs, plant managers, and utility environmental managers sitting in a locked room with one of those black Magic Eight Balls asking a litany of questions: Should we invest in a boiler upgrade or wait until New Source Review issues are resolved? Should we plan for multi-pollutant control according to the Bush Administration's Clear Skies Initiative or should we plan for mercury control independent of multi-pollutant control? What will we have to do to comply with the Clean Water Act's 316(b) provision with respect to cooling water intake structures? When each of these questions is asked, all eyes focus nervously on the message that appears in the tiny display window. Instead of the original 20 answers, however, the Power Generation Magic Eight Ball only has access to the most ambiguous responses: Reply hazy, try again; Better not tell you now; Ask again later; Cannot predict now.
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