Coal Power Plants Released 9 Percent More Mercury in 2025

Coal-fired power plants across the United States released more mercury last year as power demand increased, reversing a yearslong downward trend in emissions of the toxic metal. Mercury emissions from coal-burning plants rose by roughly 9 percent in 2025 compared with the prior year, totaling more than 4,800 pounds.

The figures come from an analysis of data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency. Mercury is a potent toxin that interferes with brain development. The increase occurred even as emissions had been falling for years before 2025.

The Trump administration launched a series of moves that included encouraging the burning of more coal. Coal emits more carbon dioxide and other pollutants than other fossil fuels. The administration blocked tighter pollution controls on coal-burning plants that had been scheduled to take effect by 2027.

It directed the Pentagon to buy more coal-powered electricity and reopened millions of acres of federal land to mining. At the same time, the administration worked to limit nonpolluting energy sources such as wind and solar power. It also ordered some coal-burning power plants to cancel plans to close and remain open instead.

Most of the affected plants had been set to close at the end of 2025. The J.H. Campbell plant in Michigan, which had been scheduled to retire on May 31, 2025, was ordered by the Energy Department to continue operating. From June through December last year, the J.H. Campbell plant emitted 36 pounds of mercury.