Count the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection among those making strong objections to new federal regulations opponents say will make it impossible to build new coal-fired power plants in the future.

The DEP and the West Virginia Coal Association both submitted written comments to the federal Environmental Protection Agency concerning the new rules Friday, the last day the agency was accepting comments on the standards.

Opponents of the rules, including the coal association and legislators such as Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., argue the standards can't be met using existing technology and effectively bar the construction of additional generating units that burn coal.

"The nation cannot afford another policy blunder. ... A nation with an energy delivery and electrical system that is the envy of the world deserves better from its government," the coal association's letter states.

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