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June 23, 2008
Contact:
Mark Redsten, Executive Director
608.215.7020 extension 12 (office), 608.212.7093
(cell)
Court Dismisses Mercury Rule Challenge
Finds that the Wisconsin DNR Performed Necessary Economic Analysis
Madison, Wis. - The Dane County Circuit Court today dismissed
an attempt from Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the Wisconsin Utility
Investors, and the Wisconsin Paper Council to obtain a court order blocking
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from continuing work on the proposed
mercury rule. The Court rejected the groups' claim that the DNR failed
to properly perform the necessary economic analysis regarding the proposed
rule.
"We're glad that the Court threw out this lawsuit so that the important
work of reducing mercury pollution can continue" said Mark Redsten, Executive
Director of Clean Wisconsin, the state's largest environmental advocacy
organization.
Mercury pollution represents a serious threat to the public health of Wisconsin.
Chronic exposure to mercury results in memory loss, speech difficulties,
troubles with vision, and cardiovascular problems in adults. Children and
the unborn exposed to mercury can face neurological damage that impairs
development, leads to low intelligence and inhibits school performance.
People are generally exposed to mercury by eating fish that live in polluted
lakes, rivers and streams.
"Mercury pollutes our air and water, threatening our health and a Wisconsin
fishing tradition," Redsten said. "When technologies exist to reduce mercury
pollution, we must hold utilities accountable and ensure they do everything
within their power to protect our environment and our health."
The DNR proposal would require coal-fired power plants to reduce mercury
emissions by following one of two paths. Operators of such plants could
choose between reducing mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2015 or could
extend that deadline until 2021 by agreeing to more stringent limits on
nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, which increase the methylization of
mercury, making it more toxic to people, fish and wildlife.
Clean Wisconsin along with a coalition of environmental groups has asked
the DNR to strengthen the proposal by requiring utilities to reduce mercury
emissions even sooner.
The Natural Resources Board is expected to vote on the proposal at a meeting
scheduled for Wednesday.
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Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin's clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and polluters accountable. Founded in 1970 as Wisconsin's Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. On behalf of its 10,000 members and its coalition partners, Clean Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live, work and play. Phone: 608-251-7020, Fax: 608-251-1655, Email: information@cleanwisconsin.org, Website: www.cleanwisconsin.org.