mercury emissions, EPA regulations, coal-fired power plants, environmental impact, fish contamination, public health, mercury in fish, energy policy, environmental protection, water quality

## Introduction

On February 24, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a controversial decision to repeal a 2024 regulation aimed at limiting mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. This rule was designed to reduce the amount of mercury that accumulates in fish—a significant public hea...