The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has introduced the first-ever national standard for emissions of mercury and other pollutants from coal-burning power plants. The EPA says the new standards could help prevent thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of cases of disease each year. Utilities, business groups and Congressional Republicans have slammed the new rules, saying they represent a war on American industry. The regulations come as Republicans continue to advance a measure that would prevent the EPA from regulating emissions of greenhouse gases. The bill cleared the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee this week, and Republicans say they expect to bring it before the full House within the next month.