Explanation
In 2011, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), with the intention to limit the release of mercury and other hazardous pollution created as a bi-product of coal- and oil-burning power plants. Power plants are responsible for 50 percent of mercury emissions, more than 50 percent of acid gas emissions, and 25 percent of toxic metal emissions in the United States. Coal-fired power plants emit 99 percent of mercury emissions in the United States each year.
The new standards impacted approximately 44 percent of existing coal-fired power plants, requiring the installation of advanced pollution control equipment. This equipment would reduce mercury emissions by 91 percent. This reduction in mercury emissions results in 4,500 fewer cases of chronic bronchitis, 11,000 fewer cases of acute bronchitis, 220,000 fewer cases of respiratory symptoms, and the saving of 17,000 lives per year. The economic impact is remarkable: 850,000 fewer missed work days, and $37 billion and $90 billion in benefits from improved national health. This was in further consideration of an estimated annual cost of $9.6 billion. Between 2011 and 2017, Ohio - one of the 7 highest-polluting states in the nation - reduced mercury emissions by more than 85% and by more than 2,000 pounds.
In December of 2018, the EPA proposed a revision to the existing MATS that substantially reduces the estimated benefit relative to the cost. The proposal reduced the estimated annual savings from at least $59 billion to just $6 million, potentially moving to undermine the economic efficiency of the MATS regulations. Furthermore, the EPA is soliciting comment on its authority to rescind the MATS altogether. The comment period closes on April 8, 2019.
Title
To urge that Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, under the administration of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, be maintained at their current levels.
Body
WHEREAS, m...
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