The EPA has proposed an updated draft rule to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. This proposal is an important step forward in addressing the climate crisis, protecting the health and safety of communities across the country, and prioritizing the creation of quality, family-sustaining jobs.
The EPA welcomes public input through the submission of comments to the rule-making docket.
Tell the EPA that you support these proposed rules that will help us combat climate change by signing onto the comment below -- we'll submit it for you!
To: The Environmental Protection Agency
Dear President Biden and Administrator Regan:
Since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first implemented the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) significant progress has been made toward cleaning up dangerous air pollution. We strongly support your work to update this vital safeguard and urge you to strengthen your proposal to even further cut deadly mercury and other toxic pollution that threatens our health, jeopardizes our air and water, and poses significant harm to vulnerable populations and children. They harm people not only living near power plants, but also hundreds of miles away.
Strong MATS also help cut pollution from burning fossil fuels, which is driving the climate crisis. Many plants already meet these proposed standards, and the EPA should strengthen the standard to no more than 0.006 lb/MMBtu. The agency's own modeling shows that setting this standard at this level would increase health and climate benefits to over $1 billion dollars annually, and still remain nearly three times greater than compliance costs. Additionally, we call on the EPA to apply these new standards to facilities that burn waste coal, one of the dirtiest forms of energy that exists.
We need Solutions for Pollution to deliver clean air, clean water, and a healthy climate for all. By finalizing the strongest possible MATS, the EPA can clean up toxic power plant pollution that harms vulnerable populations and those living closest to polluting power plants. We urge you to strengthen and finalize these standards no later than April 2024.
Thank you!