These newly proposed EPA rules will make it easier to pollute the air
The Environmental Protection Agency doesn't want to prioritize health anymore.
In a rule change proposed Friday, President Trump's EPA seeks to soften its regulation of toxic mercury emissions. It'll reconfigure the Obama-era Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS), giving higher consideration to how much future regulations would cost manufacturers before implementing them, The Washington Post reports.
In 2011, former President Barack Obama's EPA implemented the standards, which essentially created an algorithm to determine whether health benefits would outweigh the massive cost of cutting power plants' toxic emissions. Scientists say there's been an 80 percent reduction in mercury pollution since then, The New York Times reports. Friday's proposal wouldn't repeal the Obama rule entirely, but would merely discount the value of human health in its equation.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Complying with MATS costs power plants $7.4 to $9.6 billion annually, the EPA estimated in its Friday statement. But it only estimated $4 million to $6 million in annual health benefits, concluding it's not "appropriate and necessary" to regulate "hazardous air pollutants" from oil- and coal-fired power plants. The Obama-led EPA produced a similar figure, but also said the regulations would reduce nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide in the air, producing further cost benefits. That's not to mention that mercury itself can "lower IQ, cause motor function deficits, damage the nervous system, and lead to more heart attacks," Bloomberg reports.
Power plants initially opposed MATS and some sued for its repeal. But an energy lobbyist has since told the Times "nobody who operates power plants ... is asking for the rule to go away" anymore, seeing as they've already spent an estimated $18 billion to comply with it.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published