Mats Standard Mercury

On may 22 2020 epa published in the federal register a reconsideration of the appropriate and necessary finding for the mercury and air toxics standards correcting flaws in the 2016 supplemental cost finding while ensuring that power plants will emit no more mercury to the air than before.

Mats standard mercury. The mats rule establishes numeric emission limits for mercury hg particulate matter pm and hydrochloric acid hcl for existing source under the national emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants neshap and sets numeric emission limits for pm sulfur dioxide so2 and nitrogen oxide nox for new sources under the new source performance standards nsps provisions of the clean air act caa. The mercury and air toxics standards reduces mercury and other toxic air pollutants from coal and oil fired power plants. The regulation in question the mercury and air toxics standards mats was established in 2011. Controls to meet limits are widely available.

History of the mats regulation early 1990s the clean air act provides that epa must take several steps before regulating air toxics emissions such as mercury from power plants. It was the first set of federal rules to limit hazardous pollution from coal burning and. Mercury and air toxics standards for power plants electronic reporting revisions. After primarily considering compliance costs relative to the hap benefits of mats epa is concluding that it is not appropriate and necessary to regulate electric utility steam generating units under.

Mercury and air toxics standards mats limit the amount of mercury and other toxic emissions from power plants. Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin that ends up in the water and soil and concentrates up the food chain especially in fish. The standards have been controversial because of industry concerns with costs and grid reliability. Mercury and air toxics standards mats power plants are the biggest source of mercury.

April 3 2020 epa proposed minor revisions to the 2012 coal and oil fired electric utility steam generating units national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants neshap known as the mercury air toxics standards mats. It is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and young children. Existing technology can remove toxics. Power plants are currently the dominant emitters of mercury acid gases and many toxic metals in the u s.

The environmental protection agency in december 2011 issued new stringent regulations called the mercury and air toxics standards or mats rule to limit mercury emissions and other hazardous substances from fossil fuel power plants.