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Advocates Sue Trump Over Rollback of Mercury Standards

3/31/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A coalition of public health and environmental advocates filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its repeal of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS).
The advocates say MATS reduced mercury pollution from coal plants by more than 90% since 2015, a major public health benefit.
They note the rollback coincides with an 18% rise in sulfur dioxide emissions and the removal of real-time emissions monitoring.

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Story summary

A coalition of public health and environmental advocates filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its repeal of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS).
The advocates say MATS reduced mercury pollution from coal plants by more than 90% since 2015, a major public health benefit.
They note the rollback coincides with an 18% rise in sulfur dioxide emissions and the removal of real-time emissions monitoring.