EPA Weakens Mercury Limits for Coal Plants

The move aims to revive the coal industry despite health and environmental concerns.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Environmental Protection Agency has weakened pollution limits for coal-burning power plants, allowing them to release more heavy metals like mercury, a powerful neurotoxin linked to brain damage. The decision is part of the Trump administration's efforts to revive the declining U.S. coal industry, despite scientific evidence that burning coal harms public health and drives global warming.

Why it matters

This rollback of mercury regulations could lead to increased exposure to this toxic substance, which can cause severe health issues, especially for fetuses and young children. It undermines efforts to protect public health and the environment from the harmful effects of coal combustion.

The details

The EPA is repealing stringent mercury limits set by the Biden administration in 2024 and returning to looser restrictions from 2012. While the EPA claims it is not eliminating mercury limits, the 2012 standards had a 'loophole' that allowed more pollution from plants burning lignite, a dirtier form of coal. The Biden administration had closed this loophole. The move is praised by the coal industry but criticized by environmental groups who say it will lead to preventable illnesses.

  • The EPA announced the rule change on February 22, 2026.
  • The 2012 mercury regulations took effect that year.
  • The Biden administration set stricter limits in 2024, which are now being repealed.

The players

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency responsible for setting and enforcing environmental regulations, including limits on mercury and other pollutants from coal-fired power plants.

Lee Zeldin

The EPA administrator who announced the rule change, claiming it would help revive the coal industry.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The head of the environmental group Waterkeeper Alliance, who has campaigned against mercury pollution for years after being diagnosed with mercury poisoning.

Laurie Williams

The director of the Beyond Coal campaign at the Sierra Club, an environmental group that criticized the EPA's decision.

Michelle Bloodworth

The president of America's Power, a coal trade organization that praised the EPA's move.

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What they’re saying

“The Biden-Harris administration's anti-coal regulations sought to regulate out of existence this vital sector of our energy economy.”

— Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator (New York Times)

“Families will suffer preventable illness simply because Donald Trump and Lee Zeldin want to help the coal industry save a few bucks.”

— Laurie Williams, Director of the Beyond Coal campaign, Sierra Club (New York Times)

“The decision 'is an important step toward maintaining a reliable and affordable supply of electricity and ensuring coal-based generation can continue supporting the nation's economy and electric grid.”

— Michelle Bloodworth, President, America's Power (New York Times)

What’s next

The EPA's decision is likely to face legal challenges from environmental groups and public health advocates concerned about the impact of increased mercury pollution.

The takeaway

This rollback of mercury regulations undermines efforts to protect public health and the environment from the harmful effects of coal combustion, prioritizing the interests of the coal industry over the wellbeing of communities affected by toxic pollution.