Mercury Rules Survive Supreme Court Setback

Six months after a setback in the U.S. Supreme Court, a rule aimed at reducing mercury emissions from power plants nationwide remains in place. In December, a decision by a panel of federal judges allowed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to move ahead with the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, making adjustments as needed to reflect the Supreme Court ruling that the agency had not properly considered the regulation’s cost to industry. Industry groups and states challenging the standards implored the lower court to throw the rule out altogether. EPA officials plan to issue a final consideration of cost in April. — Brian Sewell