Trump Weakens Rules Limiting Harmful Air Pollution from Coal Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it would loosen restrictions on coal-burning power plants, allowing them to release more heavy metals, such as mercury and lead, into the air. 

The move, first proposed in June 2025, targets Biden-era amendments to a rule commonly known as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for power plants (MATS). The amendments strengthened limits on mercury and other hazardous air pollutant emissions from coal-burning power plants and...