Fighting to protect EPA’s landmark mercury rule

It's one of the most important measures in the history of public health.

In December 2011, the Obama administration completed the Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule to get toxic mercury from coal-burning power plants out of our air, water and food -- known as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.

On February 16, 2012, these critical rules were challenged in court, and briefing in the case will continue through winter of 2013.

Three reasons to protect these historic rules:

1. Improved children’s health

   More than 400,000 infants are born annually with elevated mercury levels, which can harm their developing brains.

   The new standards will ensure that approximately 90% of the mercury in coal burned by power plants is not emitted to the air.

   A mother's take on the EPA mercury limits

2. Fewer premature deaths

   The emission reductions in this rule will result in up to 11,000 fewer premature deaths each year.

3. Public health benefits

   The new rule will prevent thousands of heart attacks, bronchitis cases and asthma attacks. This will provide annual benefits of as much as $90 billion beginning in 2016.

The fight continues

While many major utility companies support cleaner air, the biggest polluters are fighting in the courts to overturn this rule.

We need your continued support to fight back and save our clean air.