As per the new rule, the steam electric power plants are required to cut down emissions of mercury, lead and other toxic pollutants by 1.4 billion pounds per year as well as reduce water withdrawal by 57 billion gallons per year.
EPA expects the new regulation to save $463m annually to the country.
EPA administrator Gina McCarthy said: "These cost-effective, achievable limits will provide significant protections for our children and communities across the country, including minority and low-income communities, from exposure to pollutants that can cause neurological damage in children, cancer, and other serious health problems."
Of the approximately 1,080 steam electric power plants in the US, about 134 plants are required to make new investment to comply with the new standard, which is not applicable to oil-fired plants or plants with capacity less than 50MW.
The new rule comes a day after the EPA announced the updated air pollution standards in order to further control toxic air emissions from petroleum refineries.
As per this regulation, the operators are required to adopt fenceline monitoring system to better protect and inform nearby communities for potential toxic emissions from the refineries.
McCarthy said: "These updated Clean Air Act standards will lower the cancer risk from petroleum refineries for more than 1.4 million people and are a substantial step forward in EPA’s work to protect the health of vulnerable communities located near these facilities."
EPA estimates the new refineries standards, upon full implementation, to result in a reduction of toxic air pollutants by 5,200 tons per year, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by 50,000 tons annually.
Greenhouse gases emissions are also expected to be reduced to equivalent to approximately 660,000 tons per year of CO2 with this regulation.
Image: Steam electric power plants have been asked to reduce toxic pollutants discharge into waterways by 1.4 billion pounds annually. Photo: courtesy of sakhorn38/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
