US EPA plans to loosen mercury rules for coal plants this week, NYT reports

Feb 18 (Reuters) - The Trump administration plans to loosen restrictions on coal-burning power plants this week, allowing them to emit more hazardous pollutants including mercury, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

Senior U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials are expected to announce the move during a trip to Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, the paper said.

The EPA has already exempted 47 companies from regulations to curb mercury and air toxics for coal-fired power plants for two years, and last June, it proposed repealing rules passed under former President Joe Biden to curb emissions of carbon dioxide, mercury and other air pollutants from power plants.

That proposal is under an interagency review, and a final rule will be published once the review is completed and signed by Administrator Lee Zeldin, the EPA said on Wednesday.

In loosening the limits on mercury, a powerful neurotoxin that can impair babies' brain development, the EPA is arguing it would reduce "unwarranted costs" for utilities that own and operate coal plants across the country, the Times reported, citing internal agency documents.

The EPA estimates the change would save companies as much as $670 million between 2028 and 2037, according to the Times.

President Donald Trump has promised to fast-track energy infrastructure to meet rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence and data centers.

He has declared an "energy emergency" to justify moves to keep open aging coal plants that had been set for closure and exempt these plants from key air regulations.

Washington has also removed tax incentives for wind and solar projects and slow-walked permits for renewable energy on federal land, as well as private and state lands.