Proposed New Air Quality Regulations

In "EPA rules could shut 13,000 megawatts of Midwest coal plants," Reuters says that to remain compliant with proposed EPA rules, Midwestern coal-burning electric utilities might have to invest $33 billion on 62,000 of the 70,000 megawatts of generation capacity. One regulation, on reducing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, has already been finalized. Mercury reduction is the most important of the new rules.

How can the voters know whether these new rules are a good thing or not? How can you yourself form an opinion? Why would the utilities oppose such regulations, when they will be allowed to raise their rates to match any cost increases?