The Obama administration’s latest proposal to curb carbon emissions at existing power plants threatens to drive up energy costs, Murray Energy chief executive Robert Murray tells FOX Business Network’s Neil Cavuto.

Murray and the company he founded have filed four lawsuits against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over regulations that target the coal industry. Four state attorneys general have joined those efforts.

Earlier this week, Murray Energy sued the EPA over a new set of rules that aim to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by 30% from 2005 levels.

The proposed regulations raised more questions over the future of the coal industry and electricity rates. Coal, already under pressure from low natural gas prices, accounts for 40% of electricity generation in the U.S., down from 45% in 2009.

In an exclusive interview Thursday on Cavuto, Murray expressed concern over the impact the EPA’s rules will have on his company, one of the largest U.S. coal producers. Ohio-based Murray Energy also has operations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other states.

‘It’s a human issue to me because my employees’ lives are being destroyed,” Murray said, adding that coal remains the cheapest way to generate electricity. ‘I grew up poor. Poverty-stricken people are going to be hurt the worst. […]