The nation’s environment and public health suffered a setback on March 16, when the Bush administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled new regulations enabling power plants to emit seven times more mercury pollution beyond existing standards.

With the news that our leaders in Washington were taking steps backwards on the mercury pollution issue, PennEnvironment redoubled its statewide effort to convince Gov. Ed Rendell and the state Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to require 90 percent mercury reductions from Pennsylvania’s coal-fired power plants by 2007.

Mercury is a toxic metal that can affect the way young children learn, think and behave— even at low exposure levels. Coal-fired power plants are the largest uncontrolled source of mercury emissions, which rain down into Pennsylvania’s waterways and contaminate the fish that then end up on our dinner plates.

“This problem is being born in our own backyard, as Pennsylvania’s power plants are a huge source of mercury pollution,” said Nathan Willcox, energy and clean air advocate with PennEnvironment. Pennsylvania’s power plants emit more mercury pollution than the power plants in all but two other states.

This spring, Willcox met with the most important voices in this decision making process, including Gov. Rendell’s office, the Game Commission, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation and Rep. Bill Adolph’s office. All of these officials hold seats on the EQB, which must eventually vote to approve any mercury reduction standard.

Willcox stressed growing evidence that shows the technological and economic feasibility of achieving mercury reductions from power plants. For example, a recent National Wildlife Federation study found that achieving a 90 percent mercury reduction from Pennsylvania’s power plants would cost the average Pennsylvania ratepayer a dollar more per month on their electricity bill. PennEnvironment is also asking members of the EQB to hold a public comment period to solicit the public’s support for reducing mercury in the state’s waterways.

PennEnvironment is working closely with PennFuture—the group responsible for starting this process by filing a petitioned request with the EQB—as well as with women’s health groups, religious groups, sportsmen’s groups and other environmental groups, to ensure that citizens are aware of this issue and have the resources to make their voices heard.

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