Court rejects challenge to mercury emissions rule

A federal court upheld an Environmental Protection Agency rule that limits mercury and other toxic air emissions from power plants Tuesday, delivering a victory for the Obama administration and a blow to industry groups fighting the regulation.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied challenges to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, or MATS, which go into effect in May 2015. The rule is a key part of President Obama’s environmental agenda, as it would force some of the nation’s 600 dirtiest coal– and oil-fired power plants to shut down or install new technology to curb emissions.