RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Eighty-five members of the General Assembly have added their names to a letter to President Barack Obama, expressing their opposition to proposed regulations to limit carbon emissions at new coal-fired power plants. The legislators released the letter Tuesday at a news conference in Richmond. Delegate Terry Kilgore said the letter is intended to send the message to Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency that the proposed regulations are “reckless and irresponsible” and will cost Virginia jobs. Republican Kilgore represents coal-producing counties in southwest Virginia. The proposed regulations have already had an impact, with many power companies moving to cleaner natural gas to generate electricity. Business leaders and industry representatives joined the legislators at the news conference. The EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed regulations until March 10.
