By Judy Sheahan
March 28, 2011

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new standards on March 16 to reduce mercury, arsenic, and other air toxics from coal and oil-fired electric utilities. EPA estimates that there are approximately 1,350 units that will be affected by this proposed rule including municipally-owned utilities.

EPA has issued the new rules in response to a court deadline. In the rule EPA is proposing to reduce not only mercury and arsenic but nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM) as well. EPA estimates that a reduction in particulate matter would result in health benefits of $59 billion - $140 billion in 2016 while the total estimated cost will be $10.9 billion that same year.

EPA Adminstrator Lisa Jackson said, “Power plants are the largest remaining source of several toxic air pollutants – responsible for half of mercury and more than half of acid gas emissions in the United States. In the power sector alone, coal-fired power plants are responsible for 99 percent of mercury emissions.”

The comment period for this proposed rule will be open for 60 days. For more information about the proposed rule, visit the EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/airquality/powerplanttoxics/actions.html