The EPA just announced a new standard for sulfur dioxide emissions from coal fired power plants.
According to the EPA in an article in the New York Times, this new standard would prevent 2,300 to 5,900 premature deaths and 54,000 asthma attacks a year, would cost the coal industry roughly $1.5 billion over the next 10 years, and would save $13 billion to $33 billion a year in health benefits.
Seems like this regulation is a good step in the right direction. Hopefully the EPA will continue to protect us against the many devastating impacts of dirty coal.