We applaud the Supreme Court’s denial of a request for an emergency stay of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Mercury and Air Toxics (MATs) rule. When fossil fuel power plants belch toxic pollutants like mercury into the air, those pollutants make their way to our waterways, exposing people to mercury by eating contaminated fish. Studies link high levels of mercury (methyl mercury) to damages in developing nervous systems, impairing children’s cognitive abilities. By leading the coalition of 20 states in requesting the emergency stay, it appears Michigan isn’t satisfied by just poisoning its own citizens’ water supplies (see e.g., City of Flint), it wants to poison the nation’s water.
This MATs rule is projected to reduce mercury emissions by approximately 91% from our nation’s oldest and dirtiest coal-fired power plants. We know that mercury causes brain damage, it robs IQ points from unborn children and causes many other health problems. But let’s hear from the experts about the incredible public health benefits of this rule. The rule is estimated to prevent annually: 4,700 heart attacks; 130,000 asthma attacks; 2,800 cases of chronic bronchitis; and 4,200 to 11,000 premature deaths. Further, each year, up to 540,000 missed work days will be avoided and the rule is estimated to save $37 to $90 billion per year in health benefits.
It took a coalition of public health and environmental groups a good decade or longer to secure the MATs rule; we are thankful that the Supreme Court staved off state and industry attacks for now.