EPA Escapes State Attempt to Freeze Mercury Air Toxics Standards

States and industry groups failed to convince an appellate panel that mercury emissions rules need to be frozen during litigation over its legality, according to an order issued Tuesday.

Judges at the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied a request from Republican attorneys general—led by North Dakota—and energy industry companies asking to stay the rule, which challengers claimed would harm them irreparably should the rule be implemented while their lawsuits move forward.

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized the stringent new standards governing mercury and other heavy metal emissions in April, with petitions for review against ...