This analysis explores the technologies available for reducing emissions of hazardous metals (in the form of particulate matter) and mercury from coal-fired power plants. It finds that there have been significant developments since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency originally adopted limits on such emissions in 2011, resulting in greater emission reductions and lower compliance costs. In addition, the analysis estimates total (annual) costs of complying with various metals limits, showing that the costs for the entire fleet to meet a substantially lower limit would be modest. Similar fleetwide calculations for mercury limits can be found in the follow-on report, “Analysis of PM and Hg Emissions and Controls from Coal-Fired Power Plants – Addendum, Analysis of the Cost of Complying with Lower Hg Emissions Levels.”
Author: Andover Technology Partners (James Staudt)
This resource was commissioned by or produced by staff of the Center for Applied Environmental Law and Policy before the organization rebranded as Ridgeline Center for Law and Policy in 2026.