STATEMENT: Climate Mayors Chair and Executive Director Denounce EPA Announcement Loosening Mercury Rules for Coal Plants
Washington, DC (February 20, 2026) - Climate Mayors Chair, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and Executive Director Kate Wright denounced the Environmental Protection Agency’s loosening of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), a major federal protection that has been in place for more than a decade.
The final rule, announced today, weakens an air pollution safeguard designed to limit mercury, arsenic, and other toxic pollution from power plants. These standards were created to protect people, the environment and reduce health risks for pregnant women, infants, and other vulnerable people.
“Boiseans have demonstrated time and again that taking steps to protect our clean air and water, and the health of our community, is a priority. The administration's decision to loosen mercury rules comes at a time when we're experiencing hotter, smokier summers and a winter without the snow we need to sustain our communities,” said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. “We need to invest in innovative, clean energy solutions for the future rather than rolling back rules at the expense of our health and long-term economic opportunities.”
"For decades, Americans regardless of political party, have trusted the EPA to protect them and their families from the impacts of polluted air and contaminated water," said Climate Mayors Executive Director Kate Wright. "Many of our cities and communities are within close proximity to a coal plant—this latest move by the EPA to loosen mercury rules for coal plants will lead to high mercury exposure levels, which are especially harmful to young children's development. Americans have zero tolerance for chemicals in their food, air and water. This is a breach of trust and a step backwards."
The decision comes on the heels of the repeal of the Endangerment Finding, eliminating the EPA’s requirement to protect people from the pollution that causes climate change.
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