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Power plants are one of the biggest sources of water pollution in the country. Power plant water discharges are filled with toxic pollution such as mercury, arsenic, lead, and selenium.
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Photo)
Press Release May 14, 2026

Trump’s EPA Moves to Ax Requirement that Coal Plants Treat Toxic Wastewater Seeping into Lakes and Rivers

EPA proposes to rollback requirements on the amount of arsenic and mercury that coal power plants are allowed to discharge
The fire at the incinerator in Miami-Dade County in 2023. (Juan Carlos Esquivel)
Press Release May 11, 2026

Zeldin’s EPA Is Letting Trash Incinerators Poison Children. Now It’s Being Sued

Weak federal rules allow incinerators to release cancer-causing pollutants into communities of color, harming children’s development before they are even born
The Cheswick Generating Station in 2010. Prior to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, oil-burning and coal-burning power plants largely avoided restrictions on emissions of hazardous air pollution. (Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)
Press Release March 30, 2026

Coalition Sues Trump EPA Over Illegal Repeal of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Lawsuit challenges rollback that allows more mercury, lead, and other toxic pollution from coal- and oil-fired power plants
document March 30, 2026

Mercury and Air Toxics Lawsuit Filing

A coalition of public health, environmental, and community advocates filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's repeal of standards that limit brain-damaging mercury, lead, and other hazardous air pollution from…
Power plants are one of the biggest sources of water pollution in the country. Power plant water discharges are filled with toxic pollution such as mercury, arsenic, lead, and selenium.
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Photo)
Update March 30, 2026

We’re Suing Trump for Weakening Rules That Protect Us From Power Plant Pollution

The EPA finalized a repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, lifesaving regulations that drastically reduce toxic chemical emissions from the nation’s dirtiest power plants. We're fighting back.
The coal fired power plant looms over the town of Colstrip, Mont. Montana’s Colstrip power plant is the largest emitter of toxic particulate matter of any plant in the country’s aging coal fleet. (Louise Johns for Earthjustice)
Press Release February 20, 2026

EPA Dismantles Protections for Mercury and Air Toxics From Power Plants

Advocates warn of more toxic pollution, asthma attacks, and premature deaths, especially in communities living near coal plants.
Power plants are one of the biggest sources of water pollution in the country. Power plant water discharges are filled with toxic pollution such as mercury, arsenic, lead, and selenium.
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Photo)
Press Release December 24, 2025

Trump Administration’s EPA Dumps Wastewater Treatment Standards for Coal-fired Power Plants

EPA issues rule to allow ongoing release of toxic chemicals into sources of drinking water for more than 30 million Americans
Press Release December 22, 2025

Environmental and Community Groups Sue to Stop Trump Exemptions from Air Pollution Rules for Steel Industry Coke Ovens

Exemptions for toxic coke oven facilities leave communities vulnerable to harmful air pollutants
Press Release November 25, 2025

EPA Proposes to Delay Closure of Some of the Largest Toxic Coal Ash Ponds, in Violation of the Law

Trump’s EPA proposal would allow EPA to grant 11 coal power plants extensions to continue dumping toxic coal ash in unlined ponds until October 17, 2031
Press Release November 18, 2025

Groups Challenge New York State’s Approval of the NESE Pipeline Over Significant Risks to Water Quality

The pipeline project was rejected by the state two prior times over water quality threats
Contractors and welders work on a Transco methane pipeline in Lebanon, Penn., in 2017. (Robert Nickelsberg / Getty Images)
Press Release October 30, 2025

Nonprofits, Homeowners, and Conservationists Sue FERC for Reissuing Vacated Gas Pipeline Certificate

FERC’s unlawful resurrection of Transco’s zombie gas pipeline threatens communities
Empire State Building and Manhattan skyline, New York City. Buildings are the city’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. (Matteo Colombo / Getty Images)
feature October 22, 2025

Northeast Regional Report Fall 2025

In the Northeast, our work is helping to keep us moving forward in the fight for environmental and climate justice, clean air and water, and the right to a healthy…
Earthjustice y nuestros socios trabajan para proteger la salud infantil. (Prasit Thongdee / Getty Images)
From the Experts September 16, 2025

Algunos Grupos de la Industria Química Piden Licencia para Contaminar. Pero Así Es Como Protegemos a los Niños.

En todo Estados Unidos, las señales de advertencia de peligro químico nunca parecen detenerse.
Earthjustice and our partners are working to protect children's health. (Prasit Thongdee / Getty Images)
From the Experts August 19, 2025

Chemical Lobbyists are Asking for a License to Pollute, Here’s How We Protect Kids Instead

Across America, the warning signs of chemical danger never seem to stop.
Press Release August 12, 2025

Groups Sue EPA Over Toxic Coke Oven Emissions

The agency’s delay keeps pollutants flowing into nearby communities
Coal mines in the Powder River Basin. More than 80% of the federal coal applied for under paused leases is in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana.
(WildEarth Guardians / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Update July 18, 2025

Government Signals Plan to Reopen Powder River Basin to Coal Development

We’ve fought too hard to leave coal in the past, where it belongs, to let Trump drag us backward.
Press Release July 17, 2025

EPA Seeks to Delay Monitoring and Clean up Requirements for Toxic Coal Ash, Adopting the Wishes of the Coal Power Industry

Across the U.S., coal ash dump sites leak dangerous levels of toxic pollutants, contaminating water and threatening health
North Denver community members, Lissa Leticia de Gonzales, Jose Molina and Lucy Molina, left to right, near the Suncor Refinery, which is heavily polluting their neighborhoods. (Carmel Zucker for Earthjustice)
feature July 3, 2025

Healthy Communities Program Report

The progress we have secured is a testament to the fact that the law and science are on our side. It also reflects the desire of most people across the…