Trump EPA says limits on mercury emissions from coal plants not necessary [View all]

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

ENVIRONMENT DECEMBER 28, 2018 / 12:39 PM / UPDATED 25 MINUTES AGO

Trump EPA says limits on mercury emissions from coal plants not necessary

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Friday said limits on mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants were no longer necessary as their costs outweighed the benefits, a move environmentalists said was favorable for the coal industry and could increase health hazards.

Under the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards, or MATS, enacted under former President Barack Obama, coal plants have been forced to install expensive equipment to cut output of mercury, which can harm pregnant women and put infants and children at risk of developmental problems.

Since August, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been reconsidering the justification for the rule.

Electric utilities have pushed back on the potential loosening of requirements, saying they have already invested in technology to cut emissions of the dangerous pollutant.

In a statement issued on Friday during a partial government shutdown, the EPA said the emission standards of the MATS rule would remain in place. But it proposed to withdraw the justification for the requirements.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-coal-epa/trump-epa-says-limits-on-mercury-emissions-from-coal-plants-not-necessary-idUSKCN1OR1BU