Fighting to stop Trump's attack on public health
The MATS Rule implements nationwide standards that limit emissions of toxic air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants, including mercury, arsenic, lead, and other toxic metals, as well as acid gases such as hydrogen chloride and formaldehyde.
In 2024, following significant
developments in technologies for controlling pollution, the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) updated the standards for emissions of these hazardous
air pollutants from power plants. Last month, the Trump administration rolled
back the updated standard, allowing for more of these dangerous emissions to be
released into the air.
“Public health and safety should be the top priority of any government,” said Attorney General Neronha.
“Here, we have the Trump Administration once again acting recklessly and without good reason in rolling back important emissions standards that help mitigate the potentially disastrous health effects of toxic air pollutants associated with power plants like mercury and arsenic. Americans should be able to trust that their government is working to make their lives better, but unfortunately this Administration has proven time and time again that the safety and quality of life of the American people doesn’t factor into their decision making. Nevertheless, we will fight hard to reverse this irresponsible decision.”While mercury and other hazardous air pollutants
disproportionately harm people who live near coal- and oil-fired power plants,
their emissions can also travel long distances and be deposited in other
states. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that poses serious dangers to public
health, especially for pregnant women and children. For example, a pregnant
person’s consumption of mercury exposes their child to mercury and can cause
lifelong developmental harms and neurological disorders such as seizures, vision
and hearing loss, or delayed development. Mercury exposure also increases the
risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune dysfunction in adults.
Mercury emissions from power plants are also a major
contributor to mercury contamination in U.S. waterways. Mercury pollution in
lakes and rivers harms the local commercial and recreation fishing economies,
as well as tribal nations and indigenous peoples that rely on fishing for
subsistence.
The coalition argues that the repeal is unlawful because the
EPA has failed to provide a reasoned basis for it and failed to adequately
consider developments in practices, processes, and control technologies in its
attempt to revert to outdated standards. The coalition is asking the court to
determine that the rule is unlawful and must be reversed.
Joining Attorney General Neronha in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as the city of New York, the city of Chicago, and Harris County, Texas.
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