Press Releases

02/27/2026

Commissioner Dykes and Commissioner Juthani Statements on EPA’s Weakening of the Mercury Air Toxics Rule

(HARTFORD)—Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes and Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Manisha Juthani released the following statements in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent announcement that it has rolled back air quality standards for coal-burning power plants that will result in greater emissions of heavy metals such as mercury, and other toxic pollutants. Mercury emissions pose a significant public health and environmental issue.

“This roll back will increase public exposure to mercury, and other hazardous air pollutants, posing a serious threat to public health and the environment,” Commissioner Dykes said. “Connecticut unequivocally opposed EPA in taking this action when it was proposed last year. A primary responsibility of the EPA is to protect the environment and the health of its residents, and this recent announcement represents an abdication of that responsibility. Thankfully, Connecticut has strong protections in place at the state level and will continue to take all steps available to protect the health of Connecticut residents and our environment.”

With this action, EPA is rolling back mercury and other hazardous air pollutants limits on coal-fired electric generating plants, as well as eliminating requirements for continuous emissions monitoring. Mercury poses serious public health risks, and can accumulate in wildlife and water bodies. Connecticut enacted stringent mercury emission limits for fossil fueled power plants in 2003 and demonstrated that feasible, cost-effective emission controls could be implemented while ensuring a reliable electricity supply.

“The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards are a critical public health safeguard that protect those most at risk — including babies, children, and pregnant people,” said Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “Mercury exposure is already a concern in the Northeast, and higher levels can harm child development and cause lasting neurological and reproductive health problems. Strong air quality standards are essential to prevent asthma and other lung diseases, control health care costs, and ensure that vulnerable populations and communities are not disproportionately burdened by toxic pollution.”

Historically, mercury deposition from upwind sources has significantly affected aquatic and terrestrial environments across the Northeast, resulting in states having to issue fish consumption advisories to protect human health. Mercury is a heavy metal that accumulates in living tissue and poses serious health risks, including neurological and reproductive disorders.  Once released into the environment, mercury can settle into water bodies, where it bioaccumulates in fish to levels thousands of times higher than in the surrounding water.  This bioaccumulation endangers both wildlife and humans, especially in regions like the Northeast, where widespread fish consumption advisories remain in place due to mercury contamination.

EPA’s proposal can be found here. DEEP submitted comments opposing EPA’s proposed action to roll back emissions standards for mercury and other air toxics which can be found here.

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