EPA Rolls Back Mercury and Particle Limits for Fossil Fuel Power Plants
Published Date: 2/24/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA is rolling back some recent pollution rules for coal- and oil-fired power plants, especially those about tiny particles and mercury emissions. This change affects existing power plants and takes effect on April 27, 2026. It means these plants might have fewer strict limits to follow, potentially saving them money on compliance.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repeal of tighter fPM limit
The EPA repealed the 2024 change that tightened the filterable particulate matter (fPM) limit for existing coal-fired power plants from 0.030 lb/MMBtu to 0.010 lb/MMBtu. Starting April 27, 2026, affected coal-fired electric utility steam generating units will no longer be required to meet the 0.010 lb/MMBtu fPM standard established by the 2024 Final Rule.
Estimated national compliance savings
The EPA estimates this repeal will produce present-value cost savings of $670 million at a 3% discount rate and $490 million at a 7% discount rate over the 2028–2037 timeframe, with total annualized savings of $78 million per year (3% rate) and $69 million per year (7% rate) in 2024 dollars. Those savings reflect reduced compliance costs for the regulated coal- and oil-fired EGU sector resulting from the repealed 2024 amendments.
PM CEMS mandate repealed
The EPA repealed the 2024 requirement that all coal- and oil-fired EGUs must use particulate matter continuous emissions monitoring systems (PM CEMS) to demonstrate compliance. As of April 27, 2026, owners and operators may again choose among quarterly stack testing, continuous parametric monitoring systems (CPMS), or PM CEMS for demonstrating compliance with the fPM standard.
Lignite mercury standard rolled back
The EPA repealed the 2024 tightened mercury (Hg) standard for existing lignite-fired EGUs that had revised the limit from 4.0 lb/TBtu to 1.2 lb/TBtu. Effective April 27, 2026, the more stringent 1.2 lb/TBtu Hg requirement for lignite units from the 2024 Final Rule is no longer in effect.
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