Birchtech Affirms Support for EPA Deregulatory Actions to Support U.S. Energy Needs Leveraging American Clean Coal-Fired Power Plants
Birchtech Corp. (TSX:BCHT) has responded to the EPA's recent reconsideration of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) and Clean Power Plan 2.0, viewing it as a positive development for their mercury emissions capture technologies. The EPA's March 12, 2025 announcement proposes rolling back Biden-era tightened emissions standards, while maintaining baseline MATS regulations.
The regulatory shift aims to prevent premature coal-fired power plant closures and potentially reactivate shuttered facilities to meet increasing electricity demand driven by AI growth. Rather than eliminating mercury emissions regulations entirely, the rollback provides utilities more operational flexibility while still requiring mercury mitigation.
Birchtech emphasizes that their patented technology remains essential for coal plants to maintain environmental compliance, as state-level regulations and corporate sustainability initiatives continue driving emissions reduction demand. The company views the extended operational life of coal plants under this policy as beneficial for their core business of providing mercury capture solutions.
Birchtech Corp. (TSX:BCHT) ha risposto alla recente rivalutazione da parte dell'EPA degli Standard sui Mercurio e le Tossine Atmosferiche (MATS) e del Clean Power Plan 2.0, considerandola come uno sviluppo positivo per le loro tecnologie di cattura delle emissioni di mercurio. L'annuncio dell'EPA del 12 marzo 2025 propone di allentare gli standard sulle emissioni, inaspriti durante l'era Biden, mantenendo però i regolamenti di base MATS.
Il cambiamento normativo mira a prevenire la chiusura prematura delle centrali a carbone e potrebbe riattivare impianti chiusi per soddisfare la crescente domanda di elettricità, alimentata dalla crescita dell'IA. Invece di eliminare completamente le normative sulle emissioni di mercurio, il ripristino offre alle utility maggiore flessibilità operativa, pur richiedendo ancora la mitigazione del mercurio.
Birchtech sottolinea che la loro tecnologia brevettata rimane fondamentale per le centrali a carbone al fine di mantenere la conformità ambientale, poiché le normative a livello statale e le iniziative di sostenibilità aziendale continuano a spingere la domanda di riduzione delle emissioni. L'azienda considera l'estensione della vita operativa delle centrali a carbone sotto questa politica come vantaggiosa per il loro core business di fornire soluzioni di cattura del mercurio.
Birchtech Corp. (TSX:BCHT) ha respondido a la reciente reconsideración de la EPA sobre los Estándares de Mercurio y Tóxicos del Aire (MATS) y el Clean Power Plan 2.0, viéndolo como un desarrollo positivo para sus tecnologías de captura de emisiones de mercurio. El anuncio de la EPA del 12 de marzo de 2025 propone revertir los estándares de emisiones endurecidos durante la era Biden, mientras mantiene las regulaciones básicas de MATS.
El cambio regulatorio tiene como objetivo prevenir el cierre prematuro de plantas de energía a carbón y potencialmente reactivar instalaciones cerradas para satisfacer la creciente demanda de electricidad impulsada por el crecimiento de la IA. En lugar de eliminar completamente las regulaciones sobre emisiones de mercurio, la reversión proporciona a las utilidades mayor flexibilidad operativa, al tiempo que aún requiere la mitigación del mercurio.
Birchtech enfatiza que su tecnología patentada sigue siendo esencial para que las plantas de carbón mantengan el cumplimiento ambiental, ya que las regulaciones a nivel estatal y las iniciativas de sostenibilidad corporativa continúan impulsando la demanda de reducción de emisiones. La empresa considera que la vida operativa extendida de las plantas de carbón bajo esta política es beneficiosa para su negocio principal de proporcionar soluciones de captura de mercurio.
Birchtech Corp. (TSX:BCHT)는 EPA의 최근 수은 및 공기 독소 기준(MATS) 및 청정 전력 계획 2.0에 대한 재검토에 응답했으며, 이를 수은 배출 포집 기술에 대한 긍정적인 발전으로 보고 있습니다. EPA의 2025년 3월 12일 발표는 바이든 시대에 강화된 배출 기준을 완화할 것을 제안하며, 기본 MATS 규정을 유지하고 있습니다.
규제 변화는 조기 석탄 화력 발전소 폐쇄를 방지하고 AI 성장에 의해 증가하는 전력 수요를 충족하기 위해 폐쇄된 시설을 재가동할 가능성을 목표로 하고 있습니다. 수은 배출 규제를 완전히 없애는 대신, 이 완화는 유틸리티에 더 많은 운영 유연성을 제공하면서 여전히 수은 완화를 요구합니다.
Birchtech는 그들의 특허 기술이 석탄 발전소가 환경 규정을 준수하는 데 필수적이라고 강조하며, 주 수준의 규제와 기업의 지속 가능성 이니셔티브가 배출 감소 수요를 계속해서 추진하고 있다고 언급합니다. 이 정책 하에서 석탄 발전소의 운영 수명 연장은 수은 포집 솔루션을 제공하는 그들의 핵심 비즈니스에 유리하다고 회사는 보고 있습니다.
Birchtech Corp. (TSX:BCHT) a répondu à la récente réévaluation de l'EPA concernant les Normes sur le Mercure et les Toxiques de l'Air (MATS) ainsi que le Clean Power Plan 2.0, la considérant comme un développement positif pour leurs technologies de capture des émissions de mercure. L'annonce de l'EPA du 12 mars 2025 propose de revenir sur les normes d'émissions renforcées de l'ère Biden, tout en maintenant les réglementations de base des MATS.
Ce changement réglementaire vise à prévenir la fermeture prématurée des centrales à charbon et pourrait potentiellement réactiver des installations fermées pour répondre à la demande croissante d'électricité, alimentée par la croissance de l'IA. Au lieu d'éliminer complètement les réglementations sur les émissions de mercure, ce retour en arrière offre aux services publics une plus grande flexibilité opérationnelle, tout en exigeant toujours une atténuation du mercure.
Birchtech souligne que sa technologie brevetée reste essentielle pour que les centrales à charbon respectent les normes environnementales, alors que les réglementations au niveau des États et les initiatives de durabilité des entreprises continuent de stimuler la demande de réduction des émissions. L'entreprise considère que la prolongation de la durée de vie opérationnelle des centrales à charbon dans le cadre de cette politique est bénéfique pour son activité principale de fourniture de solutions de capture du mercure.
Birchtech Corp. (TSX:BCHT) hat auf die kürzliche Neubewertung der EPA zu den Quecksilber- und Luftgiftstandards (MATS) sowie dem Clean Power Plan 2.0 reagiert und sieht dies als eine positive Entwicklung für ihre Technologien zur Erfassung von Quecksilberemissionen. Die Ankündigung der EPA vom 12. März 2025 schlägt vor, die während der Biden-Ära verschärften Emissionsstandards zurückzunehmen, während die grundlegenden MATS-Vorschriften beibehalten werden.
Der regulatorische Wandel zielt darauf ab, vorzeitige Schließungen von Kohlekraftwerken zu verhindern und möglicherweise stillgelegte Anlagen wieder in Betrieb zu nehmen, um die steigende Stromnachfrage, die durch das Wachstum der KI angetrieben wird, zu decken. Anstatt die Vorschriften für Quecksilberemissionen vollständig abzuschaffen, bietet die Rücknahme den Versorgungsunternehmen mehr operationale Flexibilität, während sie weiterhin eine Minderung von Quecksilber erfordert.
Birchtech betont, dass ihre patentierte Technologie für Kohlekraftwerke entscheidend bleibt, um die Umweltvorschriften einzuhalten, da die staatlichen Vorschriften und die Unternehmensinitiativen zur Nachhaltigkeit weiterhin die Nachfrage nach Emissionsreduzierung antreiben. Das Unternehmen sieht die verlängerte Betriebsdauer von Kohlekraftwerken unter dieser Politik als vorteilhaft für ihr Kerngeschäft, das darin besteht, Lösungen zur Quecksilbererfassung anzubieten.
- EPA rollback prevents premature coal plant closures, extending BCHT's market presence
- Potential reactivation of shuttered coal plants expands business opportunities
- Maintained MATS baseline requirements ensure continued demand for mercury capture technology
- Extended operational life of coal plants provides longer runway for core business
- Expected legal challenges to EPA rollback create regulatory uncertainty
- Reduced stringency of emissions standards might impact pricing power for advanced solutions
CORSICANA, Texas, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Birchtech Corp. (TSX:BCHT) (OTCQB:BCHT), a leader in specialty activated carbon technologies for sustainable air and water treatment, today announced a statement to shareholders from Chief Executive Officer Richard MacPherson.
Fellow Shareholders,
The EPA’s recent reconsideration of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) and Clean Power Plan 2.0 represents a pivotal, positive shift in the regulatory landscape for the coal industry and reinforces the need for Birchtech’s patented mercury emissions capture technologies, which ensures that power generated from coal operates “clean” with extremely low emissions. It is our understanding that the proposed rollback announced by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on March 12, 2025, is not an elimination of all mercury emissions regulations known as MATS (“Mercury Air Toxic Standards”) but rather a reconsideration of the more stringent standards introduced by the Biden administration, which significantly tightened emissions limits beyond historical levels. By revisiting these regulations, we believe that the EPA aims to prevent premature coal-fired power plant (“Coal Plant”) closures and per President Trump, bring hundreds of shuttered coal plants back online, ensuring energy reliability at a time of surging electricity demand due to the growth in A.I. and other factors. For Birchtech, this shift presents an opportunity to continue providing cost-effective, highly efficient mercury capture solutions to an industry that remains subject to MATS mercury emissions standards reaffirming the need for the Company’s patented technologies in clean air.
While some may view deregulation as a challenge on its face, the reality is that the fundamental need for mercury emissions control remains vital. Even with the rollback of the Clean Power Plan 2.0, the Biden-era MATS revisions, existing EPA MATS rules still mandate mercury mitigation in coal-fired power plants. The market for mercury emissions capture remains robust, and Birchtech’s proven technology is well-positioned to meet the needs of operators seeking compliance solutions that balance environmental responsibility with economic feasibility. Moreover, state-level regulations and voluntary corporate sustainability initiatives will continue to drive demand for emissions reduction beyond the levels required by the original MATS regulations.
The extended operational life of coal plants under this policy shift – when paired with the President’s desire to bring shuttered coal plants back online – also ensures a longer runway for Birchtech’s core business. The additional MATS regulations introduced during the Biden Administration would have led to the closure of many coal plants by or prior to 2027, potentially destabilizing energy markets and limiting grid reliability across the country. Conversely, the proposed rollback provides utilities with more flexibility, encouraging coal plants to remain operational longer, allowing them to invest in optimized emissions solutions rather than facing abrupt shutdowns, and potentially even bringing shuttered coal plants back online. This transition aligns well with Birchtech’s mission to support cleaner coal operations through innovative and cost-efficient mercury capture methods. As long as coal produces power, Birchtech will ensure cleaner air.
Looking ahead, Birchtech remains committed to working alongside industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies to provide clarity and reliable solutions amid an evolving landscape. While legal challenges to the rollback are expected, the long-term outlook for emissions compliance remains strong. By proactively engaging in these regulatory discussions and continuing to innovate in emissions control technology, Birchtech is well-positioned to support the industry’s ongoing need for environmental compliance, even in a shifting regulatory environment.
Sincerely,
Richard MacPherson
President & Chief Executive Officer
Birchtech Corp.
About Birchtech Corp.
Birchtech Corp. (TSX: BCHT) (OTCQB: BCHT) is a leader in specialty activated carbon technologies, delivering innovative solutions for air and water purification to support a cleaner, more sustainable future. The Company provides patented SEA® sorbent technologies for mercury emissions capture for the coal-fired utility sector and is developing disruptive water purification technologies with a specialization on forever chemicals such as PFAS and PFOS. Backed by a strong intellectual property portfolio and a world-class team of activated carbon experts, Birchtech provides cleaner air to North American communities and is applying this expertise to a novel approach in water purification. To learn more, please visit www.birchtech.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
With the exception of historical information contained in this communication, content herein may contain "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are generally identified by using words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "expect," "intend," "will," and similar expressions, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements relating to expected developments and growth in Birchtech’s business. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. In addition, this release contains time-sensitive information that reflects management’s best analysis only as of the date of this release. Birchtech does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance or other forward-looking statements contained in this release can be found in Birchtech’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or Canadian securities regulators.
Investor Relations Contact:
Lucas A. Zimmerman
Managing Director
MZ Group - MZ North America
(949) 259-4987
BCHT@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us
FAQ
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