EPA grants extension on power plant pollution plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency is giving the public more time to weigh in on a plan that would for the first time curb the pollution blamed for global warming from the nation's coal-fired power plants.

The EPA said Tuesday it would extend a comment period by 45 days, until December 1. The announcement comes a week after 53 U.S. senators asked for an additional two months, and a week before President Barack Obama is expected to speak at a United Nations climate summit aimed at making progress toward a new international agreement.

The White House said in June 2013 that final rules to reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants would be issued no later than June 2015.

The EPA on Tuesday said it was still working toward that deadline.