Trump's EPA to Allow Coal Plants to Poison Air With Mercury

Environmentalists are raising the alarm over Trump administration plans to ease restrictions on coal power plants that would allow mercury and other toxins to be released into the air.

Trump officials are considering loosening regulations set up under Barack Obama that have helped to dramatically cut pollution that can cause respiratory illnesses, as well as learning disabilities and other birth defects in children.

Under the 2011 Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS), coal-burning power plants were required to install expensive equipment to cut output of mercury and other polluting chemicals.   The regulation led to a drop in mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants of an estimated 85 per cent.

The environment has been targeted more than any other policy area under Trump, with changes including allowing oil and gas drilling in Alaksa’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; loosening rules on capturing methane when drilling for energy; rubber-stamping oil pipelines; ending the Clean Power Plan, repealing the Clean Water Rule, and increasing use of carbon-emitting fossil fuels, as well as pulling out of the Paris accord on climate change.