Delaware lawmakers weighs in on EPA mercury regulations

47 ABC – One Delaware lawmaker is tackling a growing federal issue regarding the EPA’s plan to roll back on mercury regulations.

Delaware U.S. Senator Tom Carper is among a group of pro-environmentalists voicing their concerns about the EPA’s latest announcement that it is looking to take away protections that regulate mercury and toxic air pollution from coal and oil fired plants.

Many know it as the MATS rule, a rule that Senator Carper says has been keeping people safe from mercury poisoning.

“MATS has achieved a 90 percent reduction in mercury power plant emissions according to EPA’s own projections. These rules save about 17,000 lives per year, that’s about half the amount of people that live in Dover, Delaware,” explains Sen. Carper.

According to experts, mercury exposure is especially toxic to young children, infants, and pregnant women and Carper adds that taking away these regulations will actually cost coal powered plants money that they’ve already invested to meet the demands.