EPA Plans to Loosen Mercury Limits for Coal Plants

The move would allow coal-burning power plants to emit more hazardous pollutants like mercury, a neurotoxin that can impair brain development in babies.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to announce this week that it will loosen restrictions on coal-burning power plants, allowing them to emit more hazardous pollutants including mercury. The agency argues this would reduce "unwarranted costs" for utilities, but critics say it would threaten public health, especially for vulnerable populations like children.

Why it matters

The rollback of mercury limits for coal plants is part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to boost the coal industry and make it cheaper to produce and use fossil fuels, despite scientific evidence that pollution from burning coal harms public health and the environment. This move could have significant health impacts, especially for communities near coal plants.

The details

The EPA plans to announce the change during a trip to Louisville, Kentucky on Friday. The agency estimates the change could save companies up to $670 million between 2028-2037, but it's unclear how they arrived at that figure. The EPA has already exempted 47 companies from mercury pollution regulations for two years. Coal plants are responsible for nearly half of all mercury emissions in the U.S., and exposure to high levels of mercury can cause severe damage to the nervous system, brain, and kidneys, especially in fetuses, babies, and young children.

  • The EPA plans to announce the change on Friday, February 18, 2026.
  • The current mercury limits for coal plants took effect in 2012 under the Obama administration.

The players

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The U.S. federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment.

Trump administration

The presidential administration of former President Donald Trump, which has taken steps to roll back environmental regulations and boost the fossil fuel industry.

Biden administration

The current presidential administration of President Joe Biden, which had strengthened mercury limits for coal plants.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Trump EPA is committed to fulfilling President Trump's promise to unleash American energy, lowering costs for families, ensuring clean air for ALL Americans and fulfilling the agency's core mission of protecting human health and the environment.”

— Brigit Hirsch, EPA spokeswoman (The New York Times)

“The Biden-era standards would 'result in coal-fired power plants having to shut down.'”

— Brigit Hirsch, EPA spokeswoman (The New York Times)

What’s next

The EPA is expected to formally announce the rollback of mercury limits for coal plants on Friday, February 18, 2026.

The takeaway

This move by the Trump EPA is part of a broader effort to prioritize the interests of the fossil fuel industry over public health and environmental protection. It highlights the ongoing political battles over environmental regulations and the need for policies that balance economic and public health considerations.