Last Update: 04/05/2026 at 2:50 PM EST
States Sue EPA Over Mercury Rollback
Coverage from Smart Cities Dive, Earth.Org, and others
Articles
3
Latest Article
04/01
Active Days
3
Executive Summary
States and advocacy groups are suing EPA over a repeal that would weaken mercury limits and monitoring at coal plants, raising pollution and health risks.
- 21 states and local governments sued EPA over repeal of the 2024 MATS update
- A separate coalition of health and environmental groups filed a related challenge
- The rollback would weaken mercury, lead and other toxic air pollution limits
- It also removes real-time emissions monitoring requirements at power plants
- Plaintiffs say EPA lacked a reasoned basis and ignored the scientific record
- Groups argue the change will raise asthma, ER visits and premature deaths
- Maine officials say downwind mercury pollution still threatens lakes and fish
Quick Facts
- What: Challenging EPA repeal of stronger mercury standards
- Where: U S Court of Appeals for the D C Circuit
- Why: To keep limits and monitoring that protect health
- Who: States, cities, health and environmental groups
- When: Filed in early April 2026
Coverage Timeline: 3 Days
Featured Article
In April 2026, 21 states and local governments sued EPA in the D.C. Circuit over repeal of 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and related continuous monitoring.
Additional Articles
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Natural Resources Council of Maine joined a coalition lawsuit in March 2026 challenging EPA rollbacks to coal-plant mercury standards and real-time emissions monitoring affecting downwind communities.
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Health and environmental groups sued the EPA in the D.C. Circuit over repeal of Biden-era MATS amendments for coal-fired power plants finalized in February.