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   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recently promulgated Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) and maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standards for controlling air toxics from coal-fired boilers, also known as the “Utility MACT” rule, will have positive impacts on the U.S. economy, including the creation of up to 1.5 million jobs, according to a new report prepared by Ceres (Boston, MA) and the Institute of Clean Air Companies (ICAC). The report, titled New Jobs – Cleaner Air Part II: An investment in American Businesses and American Jobs, said that the estimated investment of at least $94 billion to comply with the rules will flow directly to American companies and create jobs in manufacturing and construction. In particular, a $200 million retrofit of a coal-fired power plant with updated air pollution control equipment would result in 2,200 jobs, the report concluded. “As Congress continues to debate how best to create jobs, we already know one area that is poised for more jobs—the utility sector,” said Ceres President Mindy Lubber. “As companies invest in upgrades to their older, less efficient power plants to comply with EPA air pollution rules, jobs will be created at supplier’s manufacturing centers all the way down the supply chain to the actual construction sites. Hands down, clean air is a good thing, and putting these air pollution rules into effect at a time when new jobs and economic growth are desperately needed is the right thing to do.”