Monday, July 12, 2004
New Mexico, other states fight Bush rules on mercury emissions
New Mexico, other states fight Bush rules on mercury emissions
Billings Gazette
Associated Press
June 28, 2004
The administration's plan came under criticism this spring when 45 senators, including seven Republicans, and the 10 states urged the Environmental Protection Agency to propose stronger requirements.
The EPA's plan envisions a 70 percent cut in mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants by 2018. The proposal came under attack for the time given to utilities to reduce emissions and because the EPA would let some companies buy pollution credits from utilities rather than substantially cutting contaminants.
The state officials contended the EPA's mercury proposals do not meet the requirements of the existing Clean Air Act. New Mexico's environmental and health departments also filed state-specific comments to the proposed rule.
New Mexico has the highest mercury emissions from power plants in the western United States at more than 1 ton a year, the Environment Department said. In addition, 22 bodies of water in New Mexico are under fishing advisories due to mercury levels in fish."
Mercury can cause neurological and developmental problems, especially in children. Once in the environment, it can remain an active toxin for thousands of years.
The coalition includes state Environment Secretary Ron Curry and the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Wisconsin.
Billings Gazette
Associated Press
June 28, 2004
The administration's plan came under criticism this spring when 45 senators, including seven Republicans, and the 10 states urged the Environmental Protection Agency to propose stronger requirements.
The EPA's plan envisions a 70 percent cut in mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants by 2018. The proposal came under attack for the time given to utilities to reduce emissions and because the EPA would let some companies buy pollution credits from utilities rather than substantially cutting contaminants.
The state officials contended the EPA's mercury proposals do not meet the requirements of the existing Clean Air Act. New Mexico's environmental and health departments also filed state-specific comments to the proposed rule.
New Mexico has the highest mercury emissions from power plants in the western United States at more than 1 ton a year, the Environment Department said. In addition, 22 bodies of water in New Mexico are under fishing advisories due to mercury levels in fish."
Mercury can cause neurological and developmental problems, especially in children. Once in the environment, it can remain an active toxin for thousands of years.
The coalition includes state Environment Secretary Ron Curry and the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Wisconsin.
All articles in this archive are used under "fair use" as they are important to the national discussion of whether or not the people of this country are being deceived by their government. These articles are used as evidence in that discussion.
