During his campaign, President Barack Obama promised sweeping environmental-policy changes.

Now that his administration is getting down to business, what can Ohio residents expect?

Environmental advocates say that we'll have cleaner air and water. Some businesses, however, say that we can expect higher energy bills, more expensive cars and a bigger government.

Proposals include:

• New pollution limits for coal-fired power plants to curb global warming, smog and toxic effects of mercury.

• More fuel-efficient cars to cut emissions of gases tied to climate change.

• Spending plans to help restore the Great Lakes, build wind turbines and renovate antiquated sewer systems.

• Stricter oversight of dairy, pig and egg farms.

"Clean energy (will) not only protect our environment, but also rev our economic engine," said Amy Gomberg, program manager for Environment Ohio.

Coal and climate

Obama's campaign promise to cut industrial carbon-dioxide emissions by 80 percent in the next 40 years would have a huge impact on power companies that burn coal.

It also could affect customers, who likely would see their bills increase to help pay for new technology.

One idea, underground carbon storage, will take 10 years to figure out, said Bruce Braine, vice president of policy analysis for American Electric Power.

The process could increase the cost of electricity by as much as 35 percent.

"What's really at stake are very substantial rate increases," Braine said.

Clean cars

Obama is expected to ask today that California and some other states be given permission to set their own standards for carbon-dioxide emissions and fuel efficiency -- standards that would be stricter than the federal government's. The Bush administration had rejected California's request in 2007.

Cars and trucks make up about one-third of the nation's annual carbon-dioxide emissions.

Wade Newton, spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said the mandate would add an average of $3,000 to new-car prices.

However, "This is a necessary part of what our automotive industry has to do to be competitive and move forward," said Teresa McHugh, the Sierra Club's central region organizing manager.

Economic stimulus

Environmental groups also have designs on an expected economic-stimulus bill that could top $1 trillion.

Gomberg said Ohio businesses that build parts for wind turbines and solar panels could receive government grants to expand their operations and hire more workers.

The stimulus plan could set aside as much as $8 billion for projects to upgrade aging water-treatment plants and sewer systems nationwide.

That money would go quickly. Columbus expects to spend $2.5 billion over 40 years to stop sewage overflows during heavy rains.

Another proposal would create a $5 billion program to help restore the Great Lakes. Lake Erie's problems include sewage overflows, an oxygen-depleted dead zone, toxic algae blooms and invasive plants and fish.

Jeff Skelding with the National Wildlife Federation said every dollar spent to clean the lake would help increase lakeside property values, increase tourism and fishing and reduce lost work hours caused by sewage-related illnesses.

"When you invest significant federal and state funding in cleaning up the Great Lakes, you are also investing in the economy of the region," he said.

Farming oversight

Obama also promised to monitor and regulate pollution from large livestock farms. Ohio has more than 170 such farms, each of which houses thousands of dairy cows, chickens and pigs.

Regulations enacted by the Bush administration exempt farms from needing water-pollution permits if they file plans that say they won't pollute nearby streams.

Another rule exempted most farms from reporting toxic air pollutants from stored animal manure and urine.

Dave Warner, spokesman for the National Pork Producers Council, said government oversight would increase food prices.

"It's another cost of doing business," he said.

Trent Dougherty of the Ohio Environmental Council said more government oversight would help curb manure spills and air pollution.

"We're moving toward what I would hope are some air-quality standards for these operations," Dougherty said. "Today, there are none."

shunt@dispatch.com