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For Immediate
Release
6/13/06
CONTACT:
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
White: Committee Approves Bill to Reduce Mercury Emissions
HARRISBURG -- State
Senator Mary Jo White (R-21), chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and
Energy Committee, today hailed passage of Senate Bill 1201, a bill she
introduced with along with State Senator Raphael J. Musto (D-14) to reduce
mercury emissions from power plants. Musto serves as the Democratic chairman of
the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. SB 1201 passed by a
vote of 10-1 and now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
Senate Bill
1201 will require mercury emission reductions of 86 percent over 1999 levels no
later than 2018. It also directs use of the emissions trading program
authorized under the federal Clean Air Act. Emission trading has proven to be a
highly successful means of reducing pollutant discharges quickly and in a
cost-efficient manner.
"This vote
demonstrates the importance committee members have placed on ensuring
substantial reductions in mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants," said
White. "It also demonstrates our commitment to protecting the public's health
-- especially among our most vulnerable citizens and the unborn -- in a manner
that protects jobs and minimizes the impact on energy prices, without
jeopardizing our generating capacity."
Mercury, a
naturally occurring element, can affect the development of fetuses and young
children if ingested in significant quantities over a sustained period of time.
The primary pathway to humans of methylmercury – the specific form of mercury
regulated under Senate Bill 1201 – is through eating fish. Methylmercury poses
no danger from inhalation or physical contact.
The Senate
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee recently concluded three public
hearings on efforts to reduce mercury emissions. The committee heard testimony
from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PA Department of Environmental
Protection, PA Department of Health, coal, business, sportsmen, as well as
public health and environmental organizations. Similar legislation (House Bill
2610) is pending in the House of Representatives.
"I look
forward to discussing this issue with Governor Rendell, so that we can finalize
the Commonwealth's plan for a strong, aggressive approach to reducing mercury
emissions and protecting the health of every Pennsylvanian," said White. White
noted that data indicates mercury emissions from Pennsylvania power plants have
already been reduced by 33 percent since 1999.
Information on
today's committee meeting, as well as the committee's public hearings, is
available online at
www.senatormjwhite.com/environmental.html.
Bill Analysis:
Reducing
Mercury Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants
SB 1201
implements the Clean Air Mercury Rule. By 2018 power plants are required to
reduce mercury emissions by 86% compared to 1999 emission levels.
The Senate
Environmental Resources & Energy Committee has held three public hearings on
reducing mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. Representatives from
US EPA, DEP, Department of Health, environmental, business and industry, power
generator, sportsmen, public health, coal operator and mine worker organizations
have testified. Testimony and transcripts from the hearings is available online
at
www.senatormjwhite.com/environmental.html.
Mercury
deposition comes from local, regional and global sources. Approximately 1% of
mercury emissions come from U.S. coal-fired power plants; about 50% of mercury
emissions come from natural sources, such as volcanoes and geysers.
The pathway
for methylmercury -- the specific type of mercury under discussion -- into
humans is through ingestion of fish. According to the Department of Health and
other public health experts, mercury is a toxicant that can impact the
neurological and developmental behaviors of humans, primarily affecting the
brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver if ingested and accumulated in sufficient
quantities.
The
U.S. Centers for Disease Control conducted a nationwide study of women of
childbearing age, infants, young children and found no evidence that mercury
blood levels among the population approached that required to cause adverse
health effects.
To the extent
that mercury exposure could pose an adverse health risk, it is incumbent on
policymakers to take reasonable precautions to protect the public health.
Testimony
indicates DEP's proposed mercury rule is unconstitutional, and will lead to lost
jobs, higher energy costs, a potential reduction in the Commonwealth's electric
generating capacity and provide no added health benefit above those achieved in
SB 1201.
Mercury
emissions from PA coal-fired power plants have already decreased 33% since 1999.
DEP and EPA
data indicates that, by 2015, 90% of the generating capacity in Pennsylvania
will have installed advanced pollution control technologies to further reduce
mercury emissions, NOx, and SO2.
SB 1201
provides flexibility to achieve significant mercury emission reductions in a
cost-effective manner that preserves jobs, limits energy cost increases and
protects the public's health.
 M.J. White
D. White
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