Attorney General Keith Ellison co-led a coalition of 21 states and local governments in filing a lawsuit on March 31 challenging the Trump administration’s repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule. The coalition argues that reverting to older standards will harm both the environment and public health.
The issue is significant because mercury is a potent neurotoxin that poses serious risks, especially for pregnant women and children. Mercury exposure can lead to lifelong developmental harms, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune dysfunction. Minnesota has nearly 1,700 state waters considered mercury-impacted, with much of this pollution coming from out-of-state sources.
“Minnesotans depend on—and love—fishing,” said Attorney General Ellison. “It’s a huge part of our long history, cultural identity, and economy. But no one should have to worry about whether they’re being poisoned when enjoying their walleye.”
The 2024 MATS Rule set nationwide limits on toxic air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants including mercury, arsenic, lead, acid gases like hydrogen chloride and formaldehyde. It also closed a loophole for lignite coal-burning power plants—mainly in North Dakota—requiring them to meet national emission standards already applied elsewhere since 2012.
According to Ellison’s office, last month’s rollback by the Trump administration allows more hazardous emissions into the air using what they call faulty reasoning and incomplete information. The attorneys general argue that the Environmental Protection Agency failed to provide adequate justification or consider technological advances before reverting to previous rules.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul led the legal challenge alongside attorneys general from Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont Washington and Wisconsin as well as officials from Chicago New York City and Harris County Texas.
The coalition seeks a court determination that the rule change is unlawful so stricter protections remain in place.
