Pollution control

STEPPING LIGHTLY on the coals of a hot issue, the White House is said to be considering a move that would afford energy companies more leniency in conducting operations.

The move would relax a provision that requires an upgrade of pollutioncontrol equipment when power plants modify their operations.

Industry leaders say that the revisions will give them some reassurance that they can pursue regular maintenance without tripping over the requirement that they upgrade their pollution-control equipment.

To temper the possible backdraft that such an announcement could bring, the Bush administration is considering the simultaneous unveiling of more stringent restrictions on sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and mercury emissions from power plants.