On April 25, the US EPA announced a set of final rules attempting to reduce pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants and protect communities and improve public health without compromising reliable electricity delivery. These rules, established under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, aim to cut climate, air, water, and land pollution from the power sector. The rules include:
- A rule for existing coal-fired and new natural gas-fired power plants to control 90% of their carbon pollution.
- An updated Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule, reducing toxic metal emissions by 67% and mercury emissions by 70% from lignite-fired sources.
- A rule reducing wastewater pollutants from coal-fired plants by over 660 million pounds annually, benefiting communities with environmental justice concerns.
- A rule mandating safe management of coal ash in previously unregulated disposal areas to prevent groundwater contamination.
To read more about these rules please visit the US EPA website here.