The Trump administration has loosened a number of power plant emissions rules.
Last month, in Louisville, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a reset of mercury and air toxics limits meant to help coal remain competitive.
As Ashley Wilmes, executive director of the Kentucky Resources Council, told Eastern Standard, the rollback will have health consequences.
“Coal plants are responsible for about half our mercury emissions,” she said, “and that's a neurotoxin that can harm brain development, leading to learning disabilities and developmental delays in kids and other health impacts.”
The Trump administration’s pro-coal policies are also costing electricity customers, Wilmes said.
“What I really think is nonsensical is that, frankly, we're continuing to prop up an economic power from aging coal fired power plants,” she said, “even though it's raising energy costs for Kentucky's families and businesses.”
To hear more of this interview, listen to Eastern Standard, Thursday on WEKU.
