EPA Finalizes MATS Supplemental Cost Finding and “Risk and Technology Review”

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) corrected flaws in the 2016 Supplemental Cost Finding for the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for coal- and oil-fired power plants, consistent with a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision. The agency also completed the Clean Air Act-required residual risk and technology review (RTR) for MATS. Power plants are already complying with the standards that limit emissions of mercury and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and this final action leaves those emission limits in place and unchanged.

“Under this action, no more mercury will be emitted into the air than before,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “EPA is following through on the Supreme Court’s direction and correcting the previous Administration’s flawed cost finding in its original rule. Today’s action maintains the mercury emissions standard, and meets the statutory obligation to review the adequacy of those standards. This is another example of the EPA, under the Trump Administration, following the law while making reasonable regulatory decisions that are fully protective of the public health and environment.”

According to a 2018 report from the United Nations, based on 2015 emissions estimates after implementation of MATS, the U.S. accounts for less than 2% (1.64%) of global mercury emissions, while China accounts for more than 25% of global emissions, India emits 9% and the European Union accounts for 4%.

Today’s revised cost finding for MATS follows the law and was prompted by a flaw identified by the U.S. Supreme Court, which found that the agency had not properly taken the cost of compliance into account when proposing regulation of HAP emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants in 2012. After losing at the Supreme Court, EPA then failed again to properly apply cost benefit principles in 2016. This final action re-evaluated how costs and benefits should have been considered and concluded that the projected compliance costs of MATS outweigh the projected monetized HAP-specific benefits by three orders of magnitude.

After properly evaluating the compliance cost to coal- and oil-fired power plants (costs that the EPA estimated range from $7.4 to $9.6 billion annually) and the benefits attributable to regulating HAP emissions from these power plants (of which the projected quantified benefits range from $4 to $6 million annually), the agency determined that it is not “appropriate and necessary” to regulate HAP emissions from power plants under section 112 of the Clean Air Act. However, with this final action, EPA is not removing coal- and oil-fired power plants from the list of affected source categories for regulation under section 112 of the Clean Air Act, consistent with existing case law. Those power plants remain subject to and must comply with the mercury emissions standards of the MATS rule, which remains fully in effect notwithstanding the revised cost-benefit analysis.

In addition, EPA has completed the required RTR for MATS and determined no changes to the rule are needed. The RTR satisfies the statutory requirements set out by Congress in the Clean Air Act.

Public Officials and Stakeholders Applaud EPA’s Action:

Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (OR-02) and Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Republican Leader John Shimkus (IL-15): “The efforts of the EPA are vital to maintaining the public health and safety of our communities and ensuring our nation leads when it comes to clean air and reducing hazardous air pollution. We appreciate the Agency’s work on the MATS rule to maintain the existing standard and to correct the deficiencies in the previous Administration’s cost-benefit analysis.  Today’s decision is an important step in improving the environmental regulatory process while simultaneously prioritizing environmental protection.”

Congressman James Comer (KY-01), Ranking Member of the Environment Subcommittee, House Oversight and Reform Committee: “I want to applaud EPA for finalizing the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) supplemental cost finding and residual risk and technology review. This final action is in response to a Supreme Court decision regarding cost benefit analysis in regulations. This agency action will not undermine environmental protections because it does not change the original 2012 MATS rule. The Trump EPA continues to finalize sound policy to protect human health while driving environmental and energy innovation forward.”

Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09): “I applaud the EPA for maintaining the current MATS standard. Keeping this standard in place adheres to the Supreme Court’s decision that compliance costs must be considered when issuing regulations. The global share of mercury emissions from the United States, at less than two percent, is lower than that of China and the European Union, so this regulation upholds our environmental leadership while accounting for the economic costs that can affect the jobs and wallets of the constituents I represent in Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District.”

Congressman Larry Bucshon (IN-08): “As the son of a coal miner, I understand the sacrifice made by those who work to keep our energy bills low and our lights on. The previous Administration waged a war on coal fired power, leaving many Americans out of work. Hardworking Hoosiers lost their jobs due to burdensome red tape and the high cost of regulations. I am pleased to see President Trump take corrective action to ensure that these unnecessary and costly regulatory burdens are removed.”

Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05): “This regulation is consistent with Supreme Court rulings and ensures compliance costs are further considered when proposing regulation of emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants moving forward. I applaud the EPA for streamlining common sense regulations that are consistent with judicial rulings while upholding important environmental protections that are already in place.”

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest: “Since the 1970s, the United States has been making great strides towards cleaner air, especially when it comes to mercury emissions. I applaud the administration for undertaking a cost-benefit analysis and keeping overburdensome regulations in check.”

Jim Macy, Director, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy: “Nebraska supports EPA using the rule of law to appropriately regulate our power suppliers. This change will allow Nebraska to keep reasonable energy rates and still protect the environment. In this supplemental response to the Supreme Court ruling, coal- and oil-fired power plants will still be regulated by the same standards that have proven to be effective in protecting our environment.”

Becky W. Keogh, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment: “This action is important as it reinforces the effectiveness of advanced U.S. air-quality rules that protect both domestic and global communities from the risk of air toxics emissions. It also provides much needed certainty at a time where states like Arkansas are assessing critical energy demand and technologies available while trying to maintain diverse and low-cost resources that are reliable and clean.”

Carol Comer, Director, Missouri Department of Natural Resources: “We appreciate EPA’s actions here which resolve outstanding regulatory questions and provide certainty for our sources subject to MATS, now and in the future.”

Virginia State Senator Todd Pillion (VA-40): “This is a significant step forward in keeping America’s commitment to reliable, low cost energy. Too often we see policies at the state level that increase energy costs and kill jobs for hardworking Americans. It’s encouraging to see the federal government reaffirm policies  that support our economy while keeping our communities safe and healthy.”

Virginia Delegate Terry Kilgore (VA-01): “As a representative with a clean coal fired plant in my district, I am pleased with the EPA’s decision to maintain the current MATS standard.  The EPA’s decision will help these facilities to continue to provide good paying jobs and maintain a stable electric grid.”