Even the coal-fired utilities, the companies Mr. Bush sought to protect by rejecting the emissions targets specified in the Kyoto Protocol, are getting religion.

It will require big investments in new technology, cleaner fuels, and perhaps even the closing of some of the older coal-fired electrical utilities in the Midwest.

Improving Reliability: The House was so fixated on subsidizing traditional energy producers, including the coal-fired utilities, that it paid no attention to the way electricity is regulated and transported.

A closely related action is the EPA Clean Air Mercury Rule, the first ever federally-mandated requirements that coal-fired electric utilities reduce their emissions of mercury.

Gore says he believes that he lost West Virginia, and possibly Kentucky, by calling for restrictions on coal-fired utilities.

Analysts expect that the greatest gains will come in pipeline companies serving areas that have the highest concentrations of coal-fired electric utilities.

A small group of coal-fired utilities was especially unhappy.

Bernstein says that any coal-fired utility in that situation, would be able to build the cost of new carbon compliance rules into rates to customers.

In upcoming but closely related action, EPA will impose the first ever federally-mandated requirements that coal-fired electric utilities reduce their emissions of mercury.

C&EN - EPA has backtracked from its scheduled release of proposed rules limiting greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired electric utilities.