In March the Environmental Protection Agency released proposed guidelines for limiting mercury emissions from power plants. The rules are the first national standards for power plants since the 1990 Clean Air Act identified mercury as a toxin that needed regulation; they will be finalized in November. NRDC experts discuss the implications below.

The proposed toxics rule would reduce emissions of heavy metals, including mercury (Hg), arsenic, chromium, and nickel, and acid gases….

Power plants are the largest source of mercury emissions to the air. Once mercury from the air reaches water, microorganisms can change it into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish….  Mercury and other power plant emissions also damage the environment and pollute our nation's lakes, streams, and fish.

A range of … strategies are available to power plants to meet the emission limits, including wet and dry scrubbers, dry sorbent injection systems, activated carbon injection systems, and baghouses.

[T]he proposed toxics rule would cut emissions of pollutants that are of particular concern for children … including [their] effects on IQ, learning, and memory.

Shannon says: Our country is littered with hundreds of aging, dirty coal plants. The EPA's toxics and other rules will finally lead to the cleanup or retirement of these dinosaurs. Lives will be saved and jobs and economic opportunities created as the development of the clean energy economy accelerates.  

Susan says: Coal-burning power plants are the largest source of mercury emissions in the United States and the largest source worldwide as well. With these rules, the United States has an opportunity not only to improve our own environment but also to show global leadership on controlling this key source  of mercury.

Thom says: In the eight states surrounding the five Great Lakes, there are more than 144 coal-fired power plants, pumping some 13,000 pounds of mercury into the air every year. These plants are by far the leading source of mercury deposition into the Great Lakes and Midwest rivers, lakes, and streams.

Starla says: Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution from power plants. By cutting emissions of hazardous air pollutants, the EPA's proposed standards will prevent up to 120,000 cases of childhood asthma and decrease the number of acute bronchitis cases among children by 11,000 each year.