EPA is proposing to strengthen controls on mercury and other toxic pollution emissions from power plants. This rule will help protect the health of people living in communities where power plants are located and will also reduce the release of toxic pollutants like mercury, arsenic, lead, and chromium into our air, waterways, and ecosystems.
This proposal is the most significant improvement and update to the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) since these national limits were first adopted in 2012. Since going into effect, the standards have significantly reduced hazardous air pollution from power plants which is believed to have prevented between 4,200 and 11,000 premature deaths annually since 2016.
These updated standards recognize that power plants need to do more and that new technology exists to reduce and monitor this dangerous pollution.
EPA’s current proposal builds upon the highly successful and cost-effective health protections in the MATS rule and would:
Set stricter limits on emissions of filterable particulate matter to substantially reduce releases of non-mercury hazardous air pollutant metals from existing coal-fired power plants.
Tighten the limit on mercury emissions by 70 percent for a particular type of existing coal-fired power plant to bring it in line with mercury limits placed on other plants.
Eliminate two regulatory loopholes that are used by some power plants to exceed emissions limits.
Require power plants to use continuous emission monitoring systems that will provide regulators, the public, and facility owners or operators with cost effective, real-time data about the amount of pollution being released and help improve power plant and pollution control operations to further reduce air pollution.
This is our opportunity to keep mercury and other toxic power plant pollution out of our water, our air, and our communities. Your support can help encourage EPA to finalize a MATS rule that includes the strongest possible protections against mercury and other toxic air pollution from power plants.
