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For Immediate Release
June 13, 2006

White: Committee Approves Bill to Reduce Mercury Emissions

(Harrisburg) - State Senator Mary Jo White (R-21), chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, today hailed passage of Senate Bill 1201, a bill she introduced with along with State Senator Raphael J. Musto (D-14) to reduce mercury emissions from power plants. Musto serves as the Democratic chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.  SB 1201 passed by a vote of 10-1 and now goes to the full Senate for consideration. 

Senate Bill 1201 will require mercury emission reductions of 86 percent over 1999 levels no later than 2018.  It also directs use of the emissions trading program authorized under the federal Clean Air Act.  Emissions trading has proven to be a highly successful means of reducing pollutant discharges quickly and in a cost-efficient manner. 

"This vote demonstrates the importance committee members have placed on ensuring substantial reductions in mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants," said White.  "It also demonstrates our commitment to protecting the public's health -- especially among our most vulnerable citizens and the unborn -- in a manner that protects jobs and minimizes the impact on energy prices, without jeopardizing our generating capacity." 

Mercury, a naturally occurring element, can affect the development of fetuses and young children if ingested in significant quantities over a sustained period of time. The primary pathway to humans of methylmercury – the specific form of mercury regulated under Senate Bill 1201 – is through eating fish. Methylmercury poses no danger from inhalation or physical contact.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee recently concluded three public hearings on efforts to reduce mercury emissions.  The committee heard testimony from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PA Department of Environmental Protection, PA Department of Health, coal, business, sportsmen, as well as public health and environmental organizations.  Similar legislation (House Bill 2610) is pending in the House of Representatives.

"I look forward to discussing this issue with Governor Rendell, so that we can finalize the Commonwealth's plan for a strong, aggressive approach to reduce mercury emissions and protecting the health of every Pennsylvanian," said White.  White noted that data indicates mercury emissions from Pennsylvania power plants have already been reduced by 33 percent since 1999. 

Information on today's committee meeting, as well as the committee's public hearings, is available online at www.senatormjwhite.com (choose "Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee").  Additional information on Senate Bill 1201 is found below.

Contact:

Patrick Henderson
(717) 787-9684

Reducing Mercury Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants 

• SB 1201 implements the Clean Air Mercury Rule.  By 2018 power plants are required to reduce mercury emissions by 86% compared to 1999 emission levels.
• The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee has held three public hearings on reducing mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.  Representatives from US EPA, DEP, Department of Health, environmental, business and industry, power generator, sportsmen, public health, coal operator and mine worker organizations have testified.  Testimony and transcripts from the hearings is available online at www.senatormjwhite.com/environmental.html.
• Mercury deposition comes from local, regional and global sources.  Approximately 1% of mercury emissions come from U.S. coal-fired power plants; about 50% of mercury emissions come from natural sources, such as volcanoes and geysers.
• The pathway for methylmercury – the specific type of mercury under discussion – into humans is through ingestion of fish.  According to the Department of Health and other public health experts, mercury is a toxicant that can impact the neurological and developmental behaviors of humans, primarily affecting the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver if ingested and accumulated in sufficient quantities.
• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control conducted a nationwide study of women of childbearing age, infants, young children and found no evidence that mercury blood levels among the population approached that required to cause adverse health effects.
• To the extent that mercury exposure could pose an adverse health risk, it is incumbent on policymakers to take reasonable precautions to protect the public health.
• Testimony indicates DEP's proposed mercury rule is unconstitutional, and will lead to lost jobs, higher energy costs, a potential reduction in the Commonwealth's electric generating capacity and provide no added health benefit above those achieved in SB 1201.
• Mercury emissions from PA coal-fired power plants have already decreased 33% since 1999.
• DEP and EPA data indicates that, by 2015, 90% of the generating capacity in Pennsylvania will have installed advanced pollution control technologies to further reduce mercury emissions, NOx, and SO2.
• SB 1201 provides flexibility to achieve significant mercury emission reductions in a cost-effective manner that preserves jobs, limits energy cost increases and protects the public's health.