Document MoMaZwdGvdgGyXEj0DaJbykQM

Sierra Club FOIA 2025-EPA-04883 Key Messages On April 25, 2024, EPA issued final revisions to strengthen the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule for existing coal-fired power plants. EPA is finalizing more stringent emissions standards and additional, cost-reasonable monitoring and control methods to further reduce harmful pollution from these sources. The final rule will reduce emissions of mercury and non-mercury metal hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), such as nickel, arsenic, and lead. MATS pairs a stronger filterable particulate matter (fPM) standard, as a surrogate for non-mercury HAP metals, with a requirement to use continuous emissions monitoring (CEMs) at the stack. The standard and monitoring requirements work together to increase health protection and provide operators and communities access to better, more up-to-the-moment data. The fPM standard will reduce emissions of hazardous metals and ensure that the worst performing units reduce their emissions to a level that has been demonstrated by most of the existing coal-fired electric steam generating units (EGUs). PM CEMS requirements mean a continuous stream of emissions and performance data will be collected hourly by all coal-fired power plants, and it will be publicly reported at regular intervals -- just like all coal-fired power plants already use CEMS for SO2 and NOX emissions. The tighter mercury standard for lignite units will ensure these units meet the same mercury standard as other coal-fired power plants. EPA is committed to protecting communities from the various health and environmental impacts of power plant pollution. This final rule provides regulatory certainty that allows states grid operators, and power companies to make investments and planning decisions, while supporting the industry's ability to deliver reliable and affordable electricity. - - 90000-SZ00000 8881.0 oe SC_EVERSPLIT0006301