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Air Toxics: Mercury & Power Plants

Case Number # 3532

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency exempted power plants from Clean Air Act regulations, even though these power plants emit into the air tons of mercury and other toxins—known threats to human health.

In February 2008, a federal appeals court ruled that the EPA did not have the authority to exempt the power plants.

Environmental Defense Fund
National Wildlife Federation
Sierra Club
James Pew

Press Releases

Coal Industry Lobby Continues To Place Profits Over Public Health & Jobs
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Ignoring harm to people as a result of dirty coal technology
Communities of Color, Poverty Bear Burden of Air Pollution
Friday, May 27, 2011
EPA public hearings this week filled with stories of low-income communities and people of color fighting illness, health impacts from power plant air toxics
50 States United for Healthy Air - A Broad Perspective on Protecting Health
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Doctors, nurses, clergy and affected citizens travel from across the country to Washington D.C. demanding clean air
EPA Issues Plan to Curb Mercury, Dioxins and Other Toxic Pollutants from Power Plants
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
National standard will prevent an estimated 17,000 premature deaths and 120,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms
EPA Estimates Clean Air Act Will Gain $2 Trillion in Health Benefits by 2020
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Includes 230,000 lives saved
House Adds More Anti-Environmental Measures in Spending Plan
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Amendments will undo several environmental protections for air, water, lands and wildlife
Court: EPA Must Rein In Unregulated Industrial Toxic Air Polluters
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Coal- and oil-fired power plants will lose Bush-era exemption
EPA Study: Widespread Contamination of Fish
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Fish in U.S. lakes and reservoirs have harmful levels of mercury and other toxic chemicals
It's the End of the Road for Bush-Era Power Plant Mercury Cap-and-Trade Rule
Monday, February 23, 2009
Following new administration's request, U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear case
New Administration Reverses Course on Power Plant Mercury Regulations
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Asks Supreme Court to drop Bush administration appeal, signals end to years of delay