Trump Seeks to Rewrite Mercury And Air Toxics Rule

FEATURING MARY ANNE HITT – As part of its on-going project of dismantling public safety protections, the Trump administration is considering rewriting a rule that regulates mercury and other hazardous emissions from coal-powered plants. The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards which were implemented in 2012 have dramatically reduced pollution from dangerous chemicals and protected public health.

The EPA’s own estimation is that the standards prevent up to 11,000 premature deaths, 100,000 asthma and heart attacks, and create up to $90 billion in healthcare benefits annually.

The announcement to rewrite the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards comes just days after Trump’s government announced it would gut the Clean Power Plan, which was President Obama’s signature climate change achievement.

The upshot is that Trump is paying deference to coal – an industry that is already dying a natural death – over the health and well-being of Americans.

For more information vist www.SierraClub.org and www.BeyondCoal.org.

Mary Anne Hitt, Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign.