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June 25, 2008
Contact:
Keith Reopelle, Senior Policy Director
608.215.7020 extension 11 (office), 608.212.2935
(cell)
Natural Resources Board Adopts Mercury Rule
Decision helps Protect Environment and the Health of Wisconsinites
Waupaca, Wis - The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board
unanimously adopted a rule today that will require utilities to reduce
mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 90 percent by 2015 or
by the same percentage by 2021 if they agree to more stringent controls
of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide—pollutants which increase the toxicity
of mercury.
"Reducing mercury pollution is essential to preserving our health and our
way of life," said Keith Reopelle, senior policy director at Clean Wisconsin,
the state's largest environmental advocacy organization. "While we would
like to have seen a stronger rule, the adopted rule is significantly better
than existing regulation and will help greatly reduce the amount of toxic
mercury in our air, lakes, rivers and streams."
Chronic exposure to mercury can lead to memory loss, speech difficulties,
troubles with vision, and cardiovascular problems in adults. Infants and
children are particularly susceptible to the dangers of mercury exposure
which can cause neurological damage resulting in developmental delays and
low intelligence. Individuals usually become exposed to mercury by eating
fish that live in mercury-polluted lakes, rivers and streams.
Coal-fired power plants represent Wisconsin's largest contributors to mercury
pollution.
"In a state that takes pride in a fishing tradition, it's a sad fact that
the DNR must list every inland body of water under a fish consumption advisory
because of mercury contamination," Reopelle said. "This rule will help
ensure our families enjoy cleaner air and water."
The adoption of the mercury rule falls two days after a Dane County District
Court judge dismissed an attempt from business groups to obtain a court
order blocking the DNR from continuing work on the mercury rule. The judge
rejected the business groups' claim that the DNR failed to properly perform
an economic analysis of the rule's effect.
"This rule is a major step forward for Wisconsinites," Reopelle said. "By
reducing mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants we help ensure
future generations enjoy a clean and healthy environment."
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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.