Pallone Applauds Biden EPA Action on Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Statement

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced final action reaffirming that it is "appropriate and necessary" to regulate mercury and other hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants -- reversing the Trump Administration's rollback of the scientific, economic, and legal underpinnings of these public health protections:

"The Trump Administration's rollback of the hugely successful Mercury and Air Toxics Standards jeopardized the dramatic progress we've made toward cutting toxic mercury pollution, acid gases like hydrofluoric acid, and heavy metals. It was a reprehensible, irrational dismantling of a critical human health protection and I commend the Biden Administration for reversing it.

"Protecting Americans from hazardous air pollutants and known carcinogens like mercury is exactly why the EPA was established. Today's announcement is a welcome return to rational, health-centered governance and will undoubtedly save lives. These protections are especially important for children and other vulnerable communities across the country. I applaud the Biden Administration's commitment to public health and look forward to continuing to work closely together to protect every community from toxic pollutant exposure."

Source