EPA revisits power plant emission rules tied to mercury

September 4th, 2018 by Dakota Software Staff

The Environmental Protection Agency has dedicated significant time and effort to reviewing and changing a variety of previously established rules, or, in some cases, attempting to do so. The EPA has already looked at power plant rules put in place during the Obama administration, but the federal developer of environmental regulations is returning to review the current standard for mercury and other toxic emissions. Although the agency hasn't yet taken any firm action on the topic, it plans to reconsider the limits on such pollution, as E&E News reported.

EPA reconsiders toxic power plant emissions

"The EPA will reconsider an Obama-era power plant pollution rule."

E&E News said the federal environmental regulator will look at whether the rules in their current form are appropriate and necessary, as well as conduct a more general evaluation of the requirements. The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards regulations require power plants to monitor and limit the release of mercury, arsenic and a variety of other hazardous materials, ABC News reported.

"EPA knows these issues are of importance to the regulated community and the public at large and is committed to a thoughtful and transparent regulatory process in addressing them," said EPA spokesperson Molly Block in an email sent to E&E news.

Changing priorities from the past presidential administration to the current one are part of the reason behind the potential change to the MATS. While the Obama White House viewed these regulations as strengthening environmental protections included in the Clean Power Plan, President Donald Trump's executive branch has developed an alternative, the Affordable Clean Energy plan. The specifics of that rule place less emphasis on the benefits of the MATS, which has an impact on its long-term viability in the eyes of the current administration.

Mercury is an especially dangerous pollutant, as CNN pointed out. It shared a statement from the World Health Organization, which indicated mercury is among the top 10 chemicals that create major public health concerns across the globe.

The potential rule change is still only in its earliest stages, and the EPA has to cover significant ground in terms of deciding whether to change established limits or do away with the existing environmental regulations entirely. Businesses in the power generation and utility industries will have to keep a close eye on potential developments tied to this rule as time goes on.