EPA's proposed rollback of Mercury regulations.

In an effort to undo everything 44 did, 45's EPA says that it isn't fair to count any health benefits other than from the removal of mercury {such as lower soot and particulate numbers, which will save lives from less lung disease}. When those saved lives are taken out of the equation, the cost is much higher per life saved. The proposed rollback is to the 2012 levels.

"In another proposed reversal of an Obama-era standard, the Environmental Protection Agency Friday said limiting mercury and other toxic emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants is not cost-effective and should not be considered "appropriate and necessary."

The EPA says it is keeping the 2012 restrictions in place for now, in large part because utilities have already spent billions to comply with them. But environmental groups worry the move is a step toward repealing the limits and could make it harder to impose other regulations in the future.

In a statement, the EPA said it is "providing regulatory certainty by transparently and accurately taking account of both costs and benefits."

https://www.npr.org/2018/12/28/679129613/trump-epa-says-mercury-limits-on-coal-plants-too-costly-not-necessary

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/28/mercury-rule-rollback-epa-plan-could-help-weaken-other-regulations/2379874002/

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to roll back mercury emission standards applied to power plants by significantly devaluing the health benefits that justified the current rule. Critics say the move could be used to weaken a raft of other federal environmental regulations that President Donald Trump wants to eliminate.

The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, or MATS as it's called, went into effect in 2015 under the Obama administration. At the time, the cost to industry for installing the technology to reduce mercury emissions was estimated at nearly $10 billion, while the health benefits were calculated at only several million dollars.

But the Obama administration also factored in "co-benefits" the rule would produce, such as reductions in soot and nitrogen oxide, raising the maximum benefits to as much as $90 billion through reduced premature deaths, sick days and hospital visits.

Mercury is a neurotoxin that can affect brain development, particularly in infants and young children. It's primarily ingested through the consumption of fish.

In lower doses, mercury is known to cause depression and even suicidal behavior.

The Right's way of reducing medical costs!

Impeach!