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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: stockman_scott who wrote (58238)	10/3/2004 4:34:10 PM
From: T L Comiskey	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 89467

Illinois Shouldn't Take the Bait on Mercury (Let's Get Serious about Mercury Pollution) BY: Illinois Smallmouth Alliance August, 2004 Illinois has 87,000 miles of rivers and 309,000 acres of lakes, and outdoor recreation and fishing are a part of our heritage. Mercury pollution, however, contaminates the fish in our Illinois waters and threatens the resources that so many in Illinois enjoy with their families. Mercury from coal-fired power plants rains down on Illinois, where it ends up in our lakes and rivers, accumulating in the flesh of many species of fish. Eating mercury-contaminated fish can cause irreversible damage to the brain, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. Fetuses and breastfeeding babies are most susceptible to the negative effects of mercury because their brains and nervous systems are still developing. Illinois has a statewide advisory cautioning pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, and children under 15 to avoid eating largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, striped, and white bass-along with several other species. Despite such advisories, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimates that 600,000 children nationwide are born each year with potential developmental disabilities due to mercury exposure in the womb. Mercury isn't just toxic to people, but fish and wildlife as well. Some studies indicate that fish size, weight, and reproduction are negatively impacted. The toll on fish-eating birds, including mallards, red-tailed hawks, and the common loon are also well documented and include eggshell thinning, and increased embryo mortality. Fortunately, its possible to protect people's health and fish and wildlife from the toxic threat of mercury. Coal-fired power plants are the single largest and uncontrolled source of mercury in the country, dumping 48 tons into our air annually. In Illinois, utilities release almost 6000 pounds of mercury emissions to the air per year. The good news is that according to the USEPA's own staff, electric utilities could reduce their mercury pollution by 90%, to about 5 tons annually nationwide, using existing technologies. The bad news is that the USEPA proposed rules are inadequate to address the health threats of mercury. Instead of an overall 5-ton per year limit, the plan proposes a limit of 15 tons/year and not until 2018. In addition, their proposal would allow utilities to buy and sell mercury "credits"-which means that while some plants clean up, others could pollute more and further endanger the health of surrounding communities. This is not the way to deal with a toxic pollutant. If we're going to protect the health of Illinois' children, wildlife and our $600 million a year sportfishing industry, we need strong restrictions on mercury emissions. While the federal proposal misses the mark, we are fortunate here in Illinois that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Governor Blagojevich have a chance to adopt strong rules at the state level. Currently, Illinois EPA is considering new rules that would govern the emissions of mercury and other pollutants from the state's 24 coal fired power plants. It is vital that they require the use of the pollution controls that will reduce mercury pollution from power plants by 90%, a requirement that IEPA Director Renee Cipriano stated was both neccesary and feasible at a public hearing held in Chicago last February. Its been demonstrated that local controls can work. Studies conducted in southern Florida have found that the levels of mercury contamination in largemouth bass and other wildlife in the Everglades declined by 60 to 75 percent after an effort was initiated in the early 1990s to clean up municipal and medical-waste incinerators that had been emitting mercury. With the leadership of Governor Blagojevich and Illinois EPA, and the support of Illinois' sportsmen and mothers, Illinois can achieve similar benefits with the adoption of tough state rules that show Washington, DC how to get serious about protecting our children and our fish and wildlife from mercury pollution. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>