Biden Administration to Uphold Power Plant Regulations Challenged by Trump

Power plants play a critical role in Climate change and Global warming, emitting billions of tons of carbon dioxide each year. According to Climate Central, fossil fuel-run power plants account for an estimated 26 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

In an effort to regulate the amount of harmful pollutants that power plants produce, the Obama administration implemented the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule in 2011. Under MATS, power plant emissions were regulated and there were standards put in place for the amount of mercury and other hazardous air pollutants that could be released. The EPA’s website estimates the rule prevents between 4,200 and 11,000 premature deaths each year.

MATS improved the air quality and environment for many people, but the Trump administration attempted to undermine it in 2020. Under his presidency, the rule was challenged and became more vulnerable to lawsuits.

In an attempt to strengthen MATS once again, the Biden administration has proposed to reaffirm the necessity and legality of MATS. In a statement regarding the proposal, the EPA Administrator Michael Regan said:

“Sound science makes it clear that we need to limit mercury and toxins in the air to protect children and vulnerable communities from dangerous Pollution. EPA is committed to aggressively reducing Pollution from the power sector so that all people, regardless of zip code or amount of money in their pocket, can breathe clean air and live healthy and productive lives.”

The statement also noted that controlling the emissions improves the health of all Americans by “reducing fatal heart attacks, reducing cancer risks, avoiding neurodevelopmental delays in children, and helping to restore certain ecosystem functions that people and businesses value.”

In addition to reaffirming MATS, the proposal from the Biden administration also stated it would “ensure the continuation of public health protections provided by these requirements, while seeking information from the public on opportunities for additional Pollution reductions.”

Read more about how people around the world, like in Pakistan, The U.S., Madrid, Minneapolis, and others, are working to combat climate change and make a difference for the planet. To help combat Climate change, one of the most important things you can do is switch to a plant-based diet and say no to animal agriculture. 

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