Gaithersburg, Maryland – In response to the decision today by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia not to vacate the Obama administration's mercury and air toxics standards for power plants, IWLA Executive Director Scott Kovarovics made the following statement:
Longstanding efforts by the Izaak Walton League of America to reduce mercury in the environment got a boost today when a federal appeals court ruled EPA can continue to implement a major regulation that will cut harmful emissions. The court decision allows EPA to keep protections in place while it addresses a separate Supreme Court decision concerning how EPA documented the costs and health benefits of the regulation.
When the mercury reduction rule was issued in 2011, it was the culmination of 10 years of work by the League and partner groups to ensure EPA meets its obligations under the Clean Air Act to safeguard the health of all Americans and our natural resources.
The three-judge appeals court panel granted EPA's request to keep the rule in place while allowing the agency to amend the rule to address costs.
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Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League of America and our more than 43,000 members protect America’s outdoors through education, community-based conservation, and promoting outdoor recreation.