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For Immediate
Release
6/20/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
White: Reducing Mercury Emissions Better Protects Public
Health
HARRISBURG -- State
Senator Mary Jo White (R-Venango), chair of the Senate Environmental Resources
and Energy Committee, today announced that the state Senate has approved Senate
Bill 1201, a bill she introduced along with State Senator Raphael J. Musto
(D-14) to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Musto
serves as the Democratic chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources
and Energy Committee. Senate Bill 1201 now goes to the House of
Representatives for consideration. Similar legislation (HB 2610) has
been introduced in the House by State Representative Dave Reed
(R-Indiana).
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 cost-efficiently, while also encouraging some
facilities to over-comply with air quality standards.
"Today's vote demonstrates the Senate's commitment to protecting the
public's health -- especially among our most vulnerable citizens and the
unborn -- in a balanced manner that protects jobs, minimizes the impact
on electric bills, and preserves our generating capacity," said White.
The legislation also rejects a flawed regulatory approach adopted by the
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which would have provided
no added public health benefit above the reductions to be achieved under
Senate Bill 1201. Legal experts also advised legislators that the DEP
proposal was unconstitutional.
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 experts,
toxicologists and environmental organizations.
"We
have a responsibility to take steps to reduce mercury emissions and
protect 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.
Complete information on the Senate committee's public hearings on
mercury emission reductions is available online at
www.senatormjwhite.com (choose "Senate Environmental Resources and
Energy Committee"). Additional information on Senate Bill 1201 is also
attached.
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
http://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, a result of co-benefits from installing multi-pollutant
control technology.
No
connection has been established between purported "hotspots" of mercury
deposition and increased health risk to local residents. Enhanced
exposure to mercury "hotspots" requires local bodies of water and a
population which eats significant quantities of locally-caught fish – a
cause and effect not established by either DEP or public health experts.
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.
SB
1201 is supported by broad coalition of labor, business and coal
associations, including:
-
United Mine Workers of America
-
PA
Conference of Teamsters
-
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
-
PA
Coal Association
-
Electric Power Generation Association
-
PA
Chamber of Business & Industry
-
PA
Chemical Industry Council
-
Associated Petroleum Industries of PA
-
PA
Manufacturers' Association
 
White
Rhoades
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