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Louisville Today
By the People, for the People
Trump EPA Eases Limits on Coal Plant Emissions of Mercury and Other Toxins
The move is the latest effort by the Trump administration to boost the fossil fuel industry by rolling back clean air and water rules.
Published on Mar. 1, 2026
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The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday weakened limits on mercury and other toxic emissions from coal-fired power plants, the Trump administration's latest effort to boost the fossil fuel industry by paring back clean air and water rules. The announcement was made at a large coal plant in Kentucky.
Why it matters
Toxic emissions from coal- and oil-fired plants can harm the brain development of young children and contribute to heart attacks and other problems in adults. The plants are also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change. Environmental groups say the tightened rules have saved lives and made communities that live near coal-fired power plants healthier.
The details
The final rule reverts the industry to standards first established in 2012 by the Obama administration that have reduced mercury emissions by nearly 90%. The Biden administration had sought to tighten those standards even further after the first Trump administration had moved to undermine them. Coal-fired power plants are the largest single human source of mercury pollutants, which enter the food chain through fish and other items that people consume.
- The EPA announced the move on Friday, February 20, 2026.
- The Obama administration first established the standards in 2012.
The players
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment.
Trump administration
The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, which has sought to roll back various environmental regulations.
Biden administration
The administration of current U.S. President Joe Biden, which had sought to tighten the mercury emission standards further.
David Fotouhi
EPA Deputy Administrator who defended the agency's action.
Gina McCarthy
Former EPA Administrator under President Obama, who criticized the Trump administration's move as harmful to public health.
What they’re saying
“The Trump EPA's action follows the rule of law and will reduce of cost of generating baseload power, lowering costs and improving reliability for consumers.”
— David Fotouhi, EPA Deputy Administrator (newstimes.com)
“By weakening pollution limits and monitoring for brain-damaging mercury and other pollutants, they are actively spiking any attempt to make America - and our children – healthy.”
— Gina McCarthy, Former EPA Administrator under President Obama, Chair of America Is All In (newstimes.com)
What’s next
The Biden administration may seek to challenge the EPA's rule change and attempt to reinstate tighter mercury emission standards for coal plants.
The takeaway
This move by the Trump EPA represents the latest effort by the administration to prioritize the interests of the fossil fuel industry over public health and environmental protection, undoing progress made under previous administrations to limit toxic emissions from coal-fired power plants.
