ND senators say EPA might recant on haze rules

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's two U.S. senators say the federal Environmental Protection Agency might go along with the state's plans to reduce haze pollution from power plants.

The EPA has proposed taking over some of the North Dakota Health Department's authority to regulate air quality.

The two agencies can't agree on the best way for reducing haze. The Health Department says the federal approach is more expensive and may not work.

Sens. Kent Conrad and John Hoeven say they've been having discussions with the EPA. They think the agency is viewing North Dakota's methods more favorably.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple says state health regulators are capable of doing the job of reducing regional haze. He says the Health Department would require the power plants to install new pollution control equipment.

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