"Justices Topple EPA Mercury Regs in Ruling Seen as Limited"

"The Supreme Court ruled [Monday] that the Obama administration unlawfully failed to consider compliance costs before it issued its landmark power plant emission limits for mercury and other hazardous pollutants.

More than 20 Republican-led states and various industry groups challenged U.S. EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, or MATS.

The rules were finalized in December 2011 and are already in effect, requiring coal-burning power plants to reduce emissions of hazardous substances like mercury, lead and arsenic by installing control technologies or retiring plants.

Challengers contended that EPA should have considered the rule's $9.6 billion in annual compliance costs when determining it was "appropriate and necessary" as a threshold matter to move forward with the regulations. MATS is among the most expensive regulations ever promulgated by the agency.

The Supreme Court's conservative wing agreed in a 5-4 vote."

Jeremy P. Jacobs reports for Greenwire June 29, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Supreme Court Blocks Obama’s Limits on Power Plants" (New York Times)

"What Everyone Is Getting Wrong About The Supreme Court’s Mercury Pollution Ruling" (Climate Progress)

"The Supreme Court's Mercury Decision Is Pointless" (Vox)

"Why the Supreme Court Could Spell Trouble For Obama’s Agenda" (National Journal)

"Supreme Court: EPA Erred in Rule on Toxic Emissions From Power Plants" (Washington Post)

"The Supreme Court Throws a Wrench in the EPA's Crackdown on Mercury Pollution" (Vox)

"US Supreme Court Strikes Down Obama's EPA Limits on Air Pollution" (Guardian)

"High Court Strikes Down EPA Limits on Mercury Emissions" (Wall Street Journal)

"U.S. Top Court Rules Against Obama Administration Over Air Pollution Rule" (Reuters)

"Supreme Court Rejects Obama's Drive To Cut Mercury Emissions From Power Plants" (Huffington Post)

"Supreme Court Blocks EPA's Mercury Rules" (InsideClimate News)

"Supreme Court Deals Blow to Obama Environmental Agenda" (National Journal)

"SCOTUS Rejects EPA Limits" (AP)

"Supreme Court Thwarts EPA Mercury Rules" (Texas Tribune)

Text of Supreme Court Opinion in Michigan et al. v EPA et al.

"Supreme Court's Eventual MATS Ruling Will Be (Mostly) Moot" (SNL)

"Supreme Court Blocks EPA Rule on Mercury Emissions" (Climate Central)

"Despite Today’s Ruling, The EPA Has A Pretty Good Record At The Supreme Court" (FiveThirtyEight)

"North Dakota Coal Plants Limit Mercury Emissions" (Bismarck Tribune)

"Obama May Win by Losing in Quirk of Supreme Court EPA Review" (Bloomberg)