US Sen. Rockefeller seeks delay on EPA carbon rules

WASHINGTON, March 4 (Reuters) - U.S. Senator John Rockefeller on Thursday introduced legislation suspending potential Environmental Protection Agency rules controlling carbon dioxide pollution from stationary sources such as coal-fired power plants for two years.

Rockefeller, who represents the coal-producing state of West Virginia, said he introduced the bill to "safeguard jobs, the coal industry and the entire economy as we move toward clean coal technology."

It was not yet clear whether Senate Democratic leaders will move quickly for a vote on the proposal. Rockefeller's bill would not delay EPA from going ahead with proposed rules regulating carbon emissions from vehicles, however.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Doina Chiacu)