EPA Dismantles Protections for Mercury and Air Toxics From Power Plants

Advocates warn of more toxic pollution, asthma attacks, and premature deaths, especially in communities living near coal plants
February 20, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. " The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today finalized a repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) - a move that will allow coal- and oil-fired power plants to emit more brain-damaging mercury, other harmful heavy metals, and dangerous soot. Those emissions put the public at greater risk of heart and lung disease, cancer, and premature death.

When Pres Trump says the US obliterated every military target on Iran's Kharg Island, should we take that statement with a grain of salt, because Pres Trump lies?

#3 | Posted by LampLighter

He was either lying when he said we'd destroyed their nuclear enrichment capabilities or he's lying now.

Impossible for both to be true.

... make another album for Motown

Also, the back story behind some of the recording sessions for the album is full of "what?!" anecdotes. Waking musicians up in the middle of the night to record, song choices and how they came about.

The back story behind the release of What's Going On is interesting ...

You might have to do a lot of Googling to find the whole story, but Gaye reached a point during the battle with Gordy over releasing the album that he told Gordy he'd never make another album if Gordy didn't release it.

Back in the day, when I noticed that I was starting to listen to an album many times, I would put it on tape (7 1/2 ips, Teac tape deck), and I listened to the album from tape.

I was a teenager with no tape deck

But I also want to note, I listened to the album, not individual songs, but the album.

Same here. Most bands made albums full of good songs. Those were good times! We'd get a new album, read the liner notes, listen front and back, then listen again. The corporate takeover of the music biz led to too many cases of one good song and a bunch of crap to fill the rest of the grooves.

The legendary "music guys" who used to run labels (Mo Ostin of Warner Bros, Ahmet Erteun of Atlantic, others) started having to account to the bean counters for last quarter's profits. Those guys (also Clive Davis) would stick with many now legendary artists/bands if the first or second album didn't meet sales expectations. They cared about the music. And it would usually pay off in the long run.

Now Trump's threatening to hit Iran's oil infrastructure:

@#27 ... Steve Winwood ...

Yeah, he entered the Hall of Fame a while ago for his work in Traffic.

I wore out a couple copies of The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

#34 | Posted by LampLighter

It was impressive how well Orbison's voice held out late into his life. He could still hit the high notes clear as a bell.

#32 | Posted by LampLighter

No problem at all :-) A matter of personal taste. I like pre-Michael Doobies just as much. The band didn't have much choice. New singer or bust due to Tom Johnson's personal demons. Since he was the lead singer, not much to do but have someone else take that role ... Kinda worked out for them.

About the time in '76 when Joni was getting jazzy with Pat Metheny

CORKY

Remember the Joni album "Mingus" featuring her lyrics and melodies by Charles Mingus?

IIRC, also Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jaco (of course), and (?)

Mike told me he was in the studio doing background vocals for 2 days ... working on Peg.

Another friend's played on several Steely Dan cuts. Same deal where 3 or 4 other drummers played on the same song.

@#21 ... some Steely Dan. ...

Oh, don't get me started ...

:)

Posted by LampLighter

Michael McDonald's been a friend of mine for many years. I already knew Steely Dan would typically record 4 and sometimes 5 different drummers on a track, or a couple different horn arrangements, whatever, and choose which one they'd use at a later point in time. Every song a long process of addition and elimination.

Mike told me he was in the studio doing background vocals for 2 days because those guys were so picky.

A few years ago I while at Mike's studio while doing some overdubs, asked me if I'd help him with something when the session was over.

What he wanted was my opinion on which of his 4 Fender Rhodes electric pianos was the best, IMO. Now, Mike hadn't sold a piece of gear ... ever. Still had every keyboard, mic, etc he ever bought.

We set 'em up in the main room. I started playing the intro lick to Peg on the keys. Using a voice like you'd hear in an ad for a local electronics store sale, I said "Come on down to Michael McDonald's Fender Rhodes world! We're moving 'em out! We will NOT be undersold!" etc. "Tell 'em, Michael!" "We will not be undersold!" he sang. "What's that number to call, Michael" ... he sings "4321 PEG" Laughter ensued.

I asked him a couple years ago if he's sold any more gear. With a sheepish chuckle, "Nope." LOL

What a classic voice. And what a nice guy!

So how much of those coming February numbers might be reflective of what has been happening since February 28?

Posted by LampLighter

Not much. We'll see if the December-January downward trajectory continued.

Excluding jobs in healthcare - which are also going down now - the number of net jobs the past 9 months equals less than Joe Biden's last full month.

For you guys who like fusion, check out Dirty Loops. Currently touring. Vocals and musicianship are top notch!

Popsicle Toes - Michael Franks

"When my baby eats her eggplant ..."

Timeless tune.

Jaco used to play Tuesday nights at a jazz club in in Studio City called The Baked Potato with other top studio musicians. He didn't know how to read music - in an era where arrangers wrote out notation - but made it as a first call studio bassist anyway.

#6 | Posted by LampLighter

Hard to imagine how the economy could improve because of this war. Gas prices = inflation = people spending less = lower GDP.

But, there is a longer-term and wider non-oil effect of the closing of the Strait of Hormuz.

For example ... fertilizer ...

LAMPLIGHTER

No doubt.

Another example is their already shaky economy. A majority of Iranians are under 30. They like America and want a better life and access to the wider world. Leaving them worse than they already are offers a reason to hate us worse than their theocracy ... for the very first time.

And after 5 on friday post to avoid spooking markets

And is this a precursor to marine invasion???

ARRRRGGGHHHHH

Posted by truthhurts

Oil futures are responding ...

Another example of how abnormal and dangerous Trump is:

Trump says he'd 'encourage' Russia 'to do whatever the hell they want' if a NATO country didn't spend enough on defense

Former President Donald Trump said Saturday that he wouldn't protect a NATO nation that didn't contribute enough defense funds and, instead, he'd "encourage" Russia "to do whatever the hell they want."

#63 | Posted by eberly

Your insults aren't sardonic, they're juvenile.

It isn't hysterical to bash Trump as he turns everything he touches FUBAR. During his first term, he had ethical, experienced people around him who keep him from acting out on his worst impulses. This term, the primary qualification is loyalty to him, not upholding the Constitution, and certainly not the best interests of most Americans, which is clear.

How'd he handle the pandemic (after firing the Pandemic Response Unit from the NSC)? Poorly. How's he handling the economy that was doing pretty well when he was reelected? Poorly. How's he upholding his oath to protect and defend the Constitution? Poorly. How's he handling the war? Poorly. The list goes on and on ...

I criticized Bush over the Iraq war and debt bomb tax cuts, but he wasn't a narcissist surrounded by yes men.

I can't recall many times you've criticize Trump for anything. Which makes your being a liar about your votes more than likely.

You won't be able to click ruby slippers back to a normal American government if Trump gets his way. I, for one, like presidents I don't have to think about day to day. Of either party if they're ethical and possess empathy. Trump's an entirely different animal.

#17 | Posted by LampLighter

As you know, Trump has gutted so much institutional knowledge from our government in so many departments it'll take years to rid them of unqualified loyalists and restore departments with career personnel who know what they're doing, and who act in America's best interests regardless of party affiliation.

#1 | Posted by LampLighter

Fortunately, my wife and I aren't affected by higher prices in our day to day decisions, but so many millions of others are.

I'm a Democrat because I've always cared about "the least of these."

But here I am swinging my purse again.

Posted by Zed

Fire at will!

Your accuser primarily prefers spending their time here criticizing others instead of adding insights/thoughts of their own about the topics of the day, which apparently takes more mental effort than they're capable of.

They say they voted against Trump. Strange that they very rarely have a bad word to say about Trump or his egregious, foolish, unAmerican, and undemocratic actions, huh?.