Coal union plans rally outside EPA headquarters

TRIANGLE, Va. (AP) — The United Mine Workers of America is organizing a rally against proposed stricter federal pollution regulations for coal-burning power plants.

The union march and rally is scheduled for Tuesday outside the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The UMW says hundreds of active and retired union members and their families from West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania are expected to attend.

Similar protests were held in July coinciding with EPA public hearings on President Barack Obama’s plan to cut carbon-dioxide emissions by 30 percent by 2030. The rules are intended to curb global warming.

United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts says an estimated 65,000 workers in the coal, utility and railroad industries would lose their jobs under the plan.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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