Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of 21 states and local governments in filing a lawsuit on April 1 challenging the Trump administration’s repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule. The legal action contests the decision to revert to earlier standards that, according to the coalition, could increase harmful emissions from power plants.
The issue centers on national regulations that limit toxic air pollutants such as mercury, arsenic, lead, and acid gases from coal- and oil-fired power plants. In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency updated these standards based on advances in pollution control technology. However, last month those updates were rolled back by the Trump administration.
“Rolling back critical protections on the air we breathe for obsolete standards defies logic and puts Michigan families at risk,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Clean air should be a priority for any administration. Yet we are seeing a calculated effort by the EPA and the Trump White House to dismantle the guardrails that keep residents safe and prioritize the bottom line of fossil fuel billionaires over public health. My colleagues and I will continue to challenge these unlawful actions to protect our communities and environment.”
The coalition argues that emissions like mercury pose serious risks not only locally but also across state lines due to their ability to travel long distances in the atmosphere. Mercury is described as a potent neurotoxin with particular dangers for pregnant women and children, potentially causing developmental harm or neurological disorders.
Nessel and her counterparts contend that repealing updated standards is unlawful because it does not adequately consider recent technological advancements or provide sufficient justification for reverting regulations. They have asked the court to rule against this change.
Joining Michigan in this legal challenge are attorneys general from Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin; as well as officials from Chicago; New York City; and Harris County in Texas.
