US Supreme Court to review EPA rule on mercury emissions
The US Supreme Court has delivered the White House’s efforts to limit the emission of toxic pollutants a blow.
In a written order issued on Tuesday afternoon the court said it would consider appeals made by industry groups against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules which require coal and oil-fired energy plants to reduce their emissions of toxic air contaminants.
Mercury, in particular, is a neurotoxin which has been linked by the EPA to lasting damage on the health of unborn babies and women of childbearing age.
The legislation came into effect in 2012 following over two decades of running court battles.
A decision is expected by June.