"The Environmental Protection Agency, under pressure from some states, industry and Congress, is expected to ease an air quality rule that would require power plants in 27 states to slash emissions, said people familiar with the matter."

"The EPA, which made the rule final in July, plans to propose as early as this week to allow certain states and companies to emit more pollutants than it previously permitted, these people said. The states and companies affected couldn't be learned.

The move comes amid a backlash over the rule, which the EPA has said will protect public health and prevent up to 34,000 premature deaths. Critics contend it will cost jobs, increase power costs and threaten electric reliability."

Deborah Solomon reports for the Wall St. Journal October 5, 2011. [2]