Ashland Current: EPA Sets Power Plant Mercury Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency unveiled new standards for mercury and other toxic air pollutants today.
According to state environmental group Clean Wisconsin, the action will reduce pollution in general from coal-fired power plants, reduce mercury pollution coming into Wisconsin from other states, and improve the health of people across the nation.
“Mercury and other dangerous toxins threaten the health of our nation’s residents, especially our most vulnerable citizens, children and the unborn,” said Elizabeth Wheeler, staff attorney at Clean Wisconsin. “Every year, thousands of children suffer the negative health consequences of mercury pollution. This is simply unacceptable and these new standards are welcome.”
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Oshkosh), however, said the new regulation will drive up electricity rates.
“More than 60 percent of Wisconsin's electric power comes from coal-fired plants,” Johnson said, adding that he's anticipating an increase in electric rates, in eastern Wisconsin, of 22 percent.
Wisconsin adopted a law in 2008 that requires coal-fired power plants to reduce mercury pollution by 90 percent by 2015.
“Wisconsin has long been a leader in reducing mercury pollution,” said Wheeler. “The new standards unveiled today are a win for Wisconsin that will help clean our environment and improve the health of our residents by reducing toxic mercury pollution coming into Wisconsin from neighboring states.”
Power plants are the largest single source of mercury pollution in the U.S., according to the group Wisconsin Environment. Exposure to mercury and other air toxins is linked to cancer, heart disease, neurological damage, birth defects, asthma attacks and premature death, the group says.
