NYT: Groups Propose Alternative to E.P.A. Rules on Mercury

[DeepModem Mom]

Groups Propose Alternative to E.P.A. Rules on Mercury
By MICHAEL JANOFSKY
Published: November 14, 2005


WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 - Concerned that new federal standards on mercury emissions will not produce more immediate health benefits, two national groups of state and local air quality regulators have developed a plan to yield fewer emissions in less time.

The groups say at least 20 states have shown interest in the plan, which was conceived in response to complaints from environmentalists and some Democrats in Congress over federal rules to eliminate significant amounts of mercury from air and water.

Details of the plan are expected to be released Monday by the regulators' groups, the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators and the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials.

Coal-fired power plants in the United States emit about 48 tons of mercury a year, causing health risks that include developmental problems for fetuses and young children, largely through the consumption of fish. Currently, 45 states have fish advisories, warning their residents about mercury contamination in their waters.

In March, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the first federal rules to control mercury emissions from power plants. Until then, the plants had been exempt from federal standards for sources of toxic emissions. The rules require a 21 percent reduction in mercury emissions within five years - a level that would not require new controls - and a reduction of 70 percent by 2018....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/14/politics/14mercury.html

[rfkrfk]

1. what are these lazy ass states waiting for? pass the laws

this should have been done years ago.
incompetant bums

[karynnj]

2. This is one of the worst written articles ever

What 2 national organizations? Who are the Democrats fighting on this and why can't the NYT include at their names? Isn't WHO the first of the basic things you should cover. I know Kerry (because he has mentioned the effort in speeches) and many NE Senators are part of the group, but I can't find a list.

Why haven't they passed it? Hint: We're the minority and they're in favor of the newregulations.

[karynnj]

3. The Democrats who held their own hearing on this

were Kerry who chaired a hearing on it. Jeffords, Leahy, Boxer, H Clinton, Dayton, Lautenberg, Feingold and Lieberman either participated or put in information

For links to the hearing and transcript:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=51744&mesg_id=51745