The PCA asserted that the standards would result in severe economic consequences and said the technology required had not been proven to reduce carbon emissions.

The filing says the coal industry directly supports more than 100,000 jobs and more than 2.1 million jobs in related industries, contributing nearly $US250 billion ($A267 billion) to the US economy.

The PCA argues that the EPA's proposed regulations are unachievable with current technology.

It said standards would require coal-fired power plants to adopt carbon capture and sequestration technology, the effectiveness of which had not yet been substantially proven.

According to a Department of Energy spokesman, the regulations will increase wholesale electricity prices by 70-80%.

"The EPA's standards require power plants to operate at emission levels that are just not attainable with the technology that is available to us," Alliance CEO John Pippy said.

"They would force the nation to essentially abandon its most reliable and affordable energy source.

“As a result, this policy will harm the economy by eliminating family-sustaining jobs and causing electricity prices to increase substantially."

The alliance strongly urged the EPA to consider the negative effects of its proposed regulations.

Instead, the PCA suggested that the EPA should work with energy stakeholders to develop achievable standards that would benefit the environment without harming the economy.