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White Introduces Bi-Partisan Legislation to Reduce Mercury
Emissions
HARRISBURG -- State
Senators Mary Jo White (R-Venango) and Raphael J. Musto (D-Luzerne) today
introduced bi-partisan legislation in the state Senate to reduce mercury
emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Under Senate
Bill 1201, Pennsylvania coal-fired power plants will be required to reduce
mercury emissions by 86% no later than 2018. In March 2005, the United States
became the first nation in the world to regulate mercury emissions from
coal-fired power plants. States have until November 2006 to indicate to the
federal government how they intend to implement the mercury emission reduction
rule.
"This
legislation shows the strong, bi-partisan support in the General Assembly for
reducing mercury pollution and protecting the health and welfare of our
citizens," said White, chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee. White noted that companion legislation was introduced in the House
of Representatives last week with 120 co-sponsors.
The
legislation introduced today:
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Requires
mercury emission reductions of 86% over 1999 emission rates, and 94% as
measured from the coal content;
-
Maximizes
the co-benefits to be achieved under the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR);
-
Utilizes
an emission allowance cap and trade program, providing incentives for power
plants to comply earlier and achieve greater emission reductions;
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Enjoys the
support of a broad coalition of business, coal and labor associations.
"This is a
very important public policy issue," said Musto, Democratic chair of the Senate
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. "It is important that the General
Assembly weigh in on how best to craft a plan to reduce mercury emissions."
White and
Musto strongly dispute the notion that trading of mercury allowances is
illegal. "The EPA has determined that trading of allowances is not only legal,
but preferable in ensuring compliance in a timely and cost-effective way," said
Musto. "Absent a court ruling overturning this decision -- which would at least
ensure that all states play by the same rules -- it is shortsighted not to
utilize a trading system to reduce mercury emissions in the Commonwealth."
The Senators
further disputed claims that the federal rule will permit generators to simply
purchase credits from other states, thereby not reducing mercury emissions in
the Commonwealth. According to information from the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP), significant mercury emission reductions will come as a
co-benefit of plants installing control technologies under a separate federal
rulemaking known as CAIR, or the Clean Air Interstate Rule. CAIR requires power
plants to further reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Current DEP estimates project that 90% of the generating capacity in
Pennsylvania will have CAIR control technologies by 2015.
In an effort
to downplay the cost of its state-specific plan, an April 17th DEP press release
claims its rule will not require utilities to take any additional actions beyond
those already required under the CAIR rule. "Any honest discussion of reducing
mercury pollution must include recognition of the significant mercury reductions
which will be achieved under CAIR," White said. "To suggest that there will not
be significant mercury reductions is totally inaccurate. You can't have it both
ways."
Mercury is a
globally-emitted pollutant, with approximately half of all emissions coming from
natural sources, such as volcanoes and geysers. Mercury emissions from
U.S.-based power plants account for approximately 1% of all emissions, with PA
power plants accounting for .09% of global emissions. While a recent Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention study found that women and young children do not
have blood mercury levels which would cause adverse health affects, the Senators
nonetheless feel strong state legislation is necessary to reduce mercury
emissions. They also stressed the importance of public education, noting that
significant consumption of mercury-laden fish -- not inhalation of air -- is
required before there could potentially be adverse health affects.
The Senate
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has scheduled two public hearings
on how best to craft a state program to reduce mercury emissions. The hearings
are scheduled for April 25th and May 2nd in the state Capitol. State and
federal officials, as well as environmental, sportsmen, electric generation,
coal, and business organizations are slated to testify. More information on the
hearings will be posted online at
www.SenatorMJWhite.com/environmental.html.
White
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