USA proposes to revise regulations that restrict mercury emissions

USA proposes to revise regulations that restrict mercury emissions

The US government announced today that it wants to review the regulations that restrict mercury emissions from power plants that operate with coal and that was imposed during the term of former President Barack Obama (2009-2017).

The government Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explained in a statement that it has proposed a revision of the standards for this type of emissions.

He explained that he has taken into account the cost that supposes that the power plants that operate through the combustion of coal or petroleum comply with the so-called Mercury and Toxic Air Standards, amounting to between 7,400 and 9,600 million dollars per year.

The EPA also said that it has taken into account the benefits derived from the regulations, which range between 4 and 6 million dollars a year.

The agency stated that it "proposes to determine that it is not appropriate or necessary" to regulate the emissions of toxic agents from power plants under the law that restricts the diffusion of this type of substances into the air.

However, current legislation on mercury pollution will be maintained while the EPA reviews "governmental arguments" about the need for regulation.

In August, the EPA already announced that it was rethinking the pollution limits of power plants, specifically the rule that limits the emission of mercury and other toxic components in the air.

The US environmental policy It has taken a turn since Donald Trump took office in January 2017.

Since then, the USA it has come out of the Paris Agreement, it has eliminated the Clean Energy Plan against emissions, it has cut environmental policies and it has expanded the areas open to oil drilling, among other measures.


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