Environmental Defense Fund Opposes Trump Administration's Proposal to Weaken Air Pollution Standards

Strategic Insights -

The Environmental Defense Fund has strongly objected to the Trump Administration's proposal to repeal the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, citing concerns over the impact on public health and the environment. The standards were updated in 2024 to protect against mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel, and other pollutants emitted by coal-fired power plants. The proposed repeal would allow the highest-polluting plants in the country to continue operating without state-of-the-art controls, subjecting nearby communities to significant harm. The Environmental Defense Fund has joined forces with 16 other public health and environmental groups to oppose the proposal, stating that it is a "baseless attack on reasonable, common-sense safeguards on toxic air pollution."

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump Administration's proposal to repeal the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards would allow coal-fired power plants to emit higher levels of mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel, and other pollutants.
  • The 2024 standards protect against brain damage in babies, cancer, and heart and lung diseases caused by power plant pollution.
  • The Environmental Defense Fund has joined 16 other public health and environmental groups to oppose the proposal, citing concerns over its impact on public health and the environment.
  • The proposed repeal would allow the highest-polluting plants in the country to continue operating without state-of-the-art controls, subjecting nearby communities to significant harm.
  • The Environmental Defense Fund has filed four sets of comments with the EPA, strongly opposing the proposed rule to weaken the carbon pollution standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants.
  • The coalition's comments cite expert analysis that demonstrates the 2024 standards are achievable and cost-reasonable, and that the significant benefits associated with reducing mercury exposures outweigh any compliance costs required by the standards.

Statistics:

  • The 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards protect against brain damage in babies, cancer, and heart and lung diseases caused by power plant pollution. (Source: Environmental Defense Fund)
  • The proposed repeal would allow coal-fired power plants to emit higher levels of mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel, and other pollutants, putting nearby communities at risk. (Source: Environmental Defense Fund)
  • The Environmental Defense Fund has filed 16 sets of comments with the EPA, opposing the proposed rule to weaken the carbon pollution standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. (Source: Environmental Defense Fund)
  • The Trump Administration's proposal to repeal the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards would result in increased pollution, causing massive harms to public health and welfare. (Source: Environmental Defense Fund)
  • The proposed repeal would harm electric power reliability and energy affordability. (Source: Environmental Defense Fund)

Sources:

  • Environmental Defense Fund. (2025, August 13). EDF Strongly Opposes Trump Administration Proposals to Eliminate Protections for Air Pollution from Power Plants. Retrieved from https://www.edf.org/media/edf-strongly-opposes-trump-administration-proposals-eliminate-protections-air-pollution-power
  • Environmental Defense Fund. (2024). Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Retrieved from https://www.edf.org/mercury-and-air-toxics-standards