When coal burns in power plants, it releases mercury into the air. This mercury doesn’t just vanish. It can travel long distances before settling in soil and water, eventually finding its way into fish that we eat.
Recent actions by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have raised alarms. They have decided to weaken mercury limits and other toxic emissions from coal-fired power plants. Just last week, the EPA repealed a planned update to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), which aimed to tighten pollution controls and required continuous monitoring of harmful emissions.
According to federal officials, this rollback will reduce costs and ensure a steady energy supply. But public health experts and some scientists worry it could lead to more toxic pollution and less transparency.
Chris Frey, an environmental engineering professor at North Carolina State University and a former EPA official, noted that the 2024 rules were based on findings that power plants could reduce emissions further. He explained, “The 2024 rule increased regulation on particle emissions from power plants. This helped cut down emissions of harmful metals.” These metals, including mercury, arsenic, and chromium, can cause serious health issues like cancer and neurological damage.
The rollback also eliminates a key requirement for continuous emissions monitoring, which provided real-time pollution data. “In business, you often hear that what gets measured gets managed better,” Frey pointed out. Without consistent monitoring, it becomes difficult to quickly address pollution problems.
The EPA claims that this change will save about $670 million. They argue that older mercury standards are still protective. However, experts worry this shift prioritizes industry costs over public health. Recent statistics indicate that coal-fired power plants are responsible for over 40% of the nation’s mercury emissions, highlighting the importance of regulation.
Once airborne, mercury can settle into water bodies and turn into methylmercury, a neurotoxin that accumulates in fish, posing serious risks, especially to pregnant women and children. Frey mentioned that local fisher communities are particularly at risk from consuming contaminated fish. North Carolina already has advisories in place regarding mercury in fish.
Frey estimates that the rollback could lead to an additional 1,000 pounds of mercury emissions each year compared to the previously planned standards. While Duke Energy, which operates coal plants in North Carolina, claims they won’t increase emissions due to this rollback, they haven’t shared specific data on mercury emissions for the coming years.
The debate over mercury standards is part of a larger trend of environmental deregulation. Frey expressed concern over the extensive rollbacks, stating, “Every one of those actions is undoing protections for public health.” With cuts to research programs at the EPA, the future of environmental regulations based on solid science may be at risk.
Legal challenges to the rollback are expected, which could delay any resolution. For now, states, utilities, and the public must navigate how to balance economic interests with environmental safety and public health.
For more on the impact of mercury pollution, you can visit resources like the [EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards](https://www.epa.gov/mats). Understanding these regulations can help you stay informed about environmental health.
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coal mining, Environmental Protection Agency, climate change, WRAL specialists
