Mercury Rollbacks and Florida

The Trump EPA has proposed to loosen regulations on emissions of mercury from coal-fired power plants. Learn what’s at stake in Florida.

Environment Florida Research & Policy Center

Statewide, FL– Life-saving mercury and air toxic pollution standards  (MATS) are being rolled back by the Trump Administration in an effort to give yet another handout to dirty coal and the fossil fuel lobby. Not only is this rollback unnecessary – all of the coal plants in Florida have already met the existing standard – but it sets a dangerous precedent for using unjust math to put more lives at risk in future regulations.   

On December 28, 2018 the EPA released its proposal to revise the MATS to limit consideration of health benefits in the cost-benefit analysis.  The comment period for the proposed rule is open until April 17th, 2019.

Click here to watch and learn more from policy, health and issue experts about what this rollback means for Florida, and the impact of coal-fired power plant pollution on Florida communities, and the harm that mercury can cause to children.  

The speakers explain how rolling back mercury protections could increase pollution, and reverse the benefits we’ve already enjoyed from these life-saving standards. Since MATS rules were put in place, Florida has seen a 77% reduction in mercury pollution, and an estimated $6 billion in health benefits each year.  

Click here to watch the full recording.  

Click here to download the slides.  

WHO:            

• Kara Cook, Toxics Program Director, U.S. PIRG
• Susannah Randolph, Senior Campaign Representative, Florida Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign
• Dr. Lynn Ringenberg, Professor Emeritus USF Health Pediatrics, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Florida

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

What are the proposed changes to the Mercury Standards?

What do they mean to Florida?  

How much pollution do Florida’s coal-fired power plants emit?

What is the impact of mercury on children in Florida?

What is the medical community saying about these rollbacks?

Take action: send a comment to the EPA letting them know you oppose the rollback of the Mercury and Toxics Air Standards, and the threats this could cause to our environment and our public health.