A federal appeals court has overturned the Environmental Protection Agency’s effort to reduce emissions of dangerous chemicals from coal-burning power plants. On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit struck down the EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which would have sharply limited emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide at plants in 28 states. The EPA has estimated the rules could save up to 34,000 lives per year and result in tens of billions of dollars in health benefits. But after a major push by utilities and corporate groups, the appeals court ruled in a 2-to-1 decision the regulations exceed the EPA’s authority. In a statement, the Natural Resources Defence Council urged the EPA to appeal the ruling, saying: “This decision allows harmful power plant air pollution to continue to aggravate major health problems and foul up our air. This is a loss for all of us, but especially for those living downwind from major polluters.”