EPA to Issue Controversial Pwr Plant Rules The Bush administration plans to finalize by next week controversial rules that critics say would allow power plants to spew out more pollution without installing new pollution controls, according to people familiar with the matter. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had outlined the most recent version of the rules earlier this year. The regulation was aimed at making it easier for older power plants to extend their lifespans and make upgrades without having to install costly new equipment. Under current policy, power plants that make upgrades and increase annual emissions must install pollution-control equipment. But the proposed rules are tied to an hourly rate of emissions. As long as hourly emissions stay at or below a historical maximum, power plants would in essence be treated as if they were running more cleanly, even if their total emissions increased as plant operators stepped up operations....