"The Supreme Court ruled [Monday] that the Obama administration unlawfully failed to consider compliance costs before it issued its landmark power plant emission limits for mercury and other hazardous pollutants.

More than 20 Republican-led states and various industry groups challenged U.S. EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, or MATS.

The rules were finalized in December 2011 and are already in effect, requiring coal-burning power plants to reduce emissions of hazardous substances like mercury, lead and arsenic by installing control technologies or retiring plants.

Challengers contended that EPA should have considered the rule's $9.6 billion in annual compliance costs when determining it was "appropriate and necessary" as a threshold matter to move forward with the regulations. MATS is among the most expensive regulations ever promulgated by the agency.

The Supreme Court's conservative wing agreed in a 5-4 vote."

Jeremy P. Jacobs reports for Greenwire June 29, 2015. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Supreme Court Blocks Obama’s Limits on Power Plants" (New York Times) [3]

"What Everyone Is Getting Wrong About The Supreme Court’s Mercury Pollution Ruling" (Climate Progress) [4]

"The Supreme Court's Mercury Decision Is Pointless" (Vox) [5]

"Why the Supreme Court Could Spell Trouble For Obama’s Agenda" (National Journal) [6]

"Supreme Court: EPA Erred in Rule on Toxic Emissions From Power Plants" (Washington Post) [7]

"The Supreme Court Throws a Wrench in the EPA's Crackdown on Mercury Pollution" (Vox) [8]

"US Supreme Court Strikes Down Obama's EPA Limits on Air Pollution" (Guardian) [9]

"High Court Strikes Down EPA Limits on Mercury Emissions" (Wall Street Journal) [10]

"U.S. Top Court Rules Against Obama Administration Over Air Pollution Rule" (Reuters) [11]

"Supreme Court Rejects Obama's Drive To Cut Mercury Emissions From Power Plants" (Huffington Post) [12]

"Supreme Court Blocks EPA's Mercury Rules" (InsideClimate News) [13]

"Supreme Court Deals Blow to Obama Environmental Agenda" (National Journal) [14]

"SCOTUS Rejects EPA Limits" (AP) [15]

"Supreme Court Thwarts EPA Mercury Rules" (Texas Tribune) [16]

Text of Supreme Court Opinion in Michigan et al. v EPA et al. [17]

"Supreme Court's Eventual MATS Ruling Will Be (Mostly) Moot" (SNL) [18]

"Supreme Court Blocks EPA Rule on Mercury Emissions" (Climate Central) [19]

"Despite Today’s Ruling, The EPA Has A Pretty Good Record At The Supreme Court" (FiveThirtyEight) [20]

"North Dakota Coal Plants Limit Mercury Emissions" (Bismarck Tribune) [21]

"Obama May Win by Losing in Quirk of Supreme Court EPA Review" (Bloomberg) [22]