When companies burn coal in the U.S., significant amounts of mercury spew into our air. Now, that mercury is controlled, thanks to a federal rule that Earthjustice and our clients fought for, defended, and successfully expanded.

Earthjustice filed suit on behalf of the Sierra Club against EPA challenging the agency’s new national air rule for incinerators and cement kilns that burn hazardous waste.

Failure to regulate has allowed release of tons of toxic pollution released annually

Agency affirms Bush-era loophole exempting refineries’ hazardous waste from public health and safety requirements

As part of the Poisoned Places: Toxic Air, Neglected Communities series, NPR investigated the toxic air pollution being pumped out of the Ash Grove cement plant in Chanute, Kansas, a town of roughly 9,000 people. The Ash Grove facility, which emits some 500 pounds of mercury a year when operating full blast, is not violating…

Environmental groups and communities cheer decision to enforce hazardous waste laws

Companies can burn dangerous waste without complying with hazardous waste laws

EPA has made strides on incinerators, cement kilns just in the last 10 months alone

Cement plants should start cleaning up now

Jim Pew is the director of clean air practice. He is based in Earthjustice’s Washington, D.C. office. He received a B.A. in history from Stanford University, a M.A. in law from Cambridge University, and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Decision will require protective controls for toxic emissions from waste burners

Lawsuit challenges flawed EPA rule that allows hazardous chemical emissions

Earthjustice today secured a landmark victory for public health and the environment pertaining to critical clean air standards. In its ruling today, the United States Court of Appeals struck down as inadequate and unlawful EPA regulations for incinerators and cement kilns that burn hazardous waste.

Trash burning already accounts for over 13 tons of mercury pollution alone each year

New rules will dramatically cut toxic air pollution, but potential exemptions leave many communities vulnerable

Environmental health and justice advocates submit comments on cumulative impacts of toxic pollution

Fish in U.S. lakes and reservoirs have harmful levels of mercury and other toxic chemicals

Responding to a rash of missed clean air deadlines, Earthjustice today filed the second of seven lawsuits challenging the federal government’s chronic failure to protect Americans from the health hazards of toxic air pollution. Earthjustice represents Sierra Club in its second suit this week against the Environmental Protection Agency.