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On December 15, 2003, EPA signed its first ever proposal to substanially
cut mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. The Utility Mercury
Reductions proposal would cut mercury emissions by nearly 70 percent
when fully implemented.
- The Utility Mercury Reductions rule would permanently cap emissions
from coal-fired power plants and provide companies with flexibility
to achieve early reductions of mercury.
- EPA proposed two alternatives for controlling mercury. One approach
would require power plants to install controls known as "maximum
achievable control technology (MACT) under section 112 of the Clean
Air Act. If implemented, this proposal would reduce nationwide mercury
by 14 tons or about 30 percent by early 2008.
- A second approach proposed by EPA would create a market-based "cap
and trade" program that, if implemented, would reduce nationwide
utility emissions of mercury in two phases. When fully implemented
mercury emissions would be reduced by 33 tons (nearly 70 percent).
- On February 24, 2004, EPA signed a proposed cap-and trade rule
that supplements its December 15, 2003 proposal to cost effectively
reduce mercury emissions from power plants. States may choose to adopt
the cap-and-trade program to achieve and maintain the necessary emission
budgets.
- EPA has already acted to substanially cut emissions of mercury
in the air by more than 90 percent from other large industrial sources,
including municipal waste combustors and medical waste incinerators.
Coal-fired power plants are the largest remaining source of human-generated
mercury emissions in the United States.
- Mercury is a toxic, persistant pollutant that accumulates in the
food chain. Concentrations of mercury in the air are usually low and
of little direct concern. However, mercury in the air falls onto the
Earth's surface through rain and snow and enters lakes, streams and
estuaries. Once there, mercury transforms to its most toxic form, methylmercury.
Concentrations of methymercury can build up in fish and animal tissues.
People are exposed to mercury primarily by eating fish.
- By reducing atmospheric mercury levels, EPA's proposal would reduce
the amount of mercury in certain fish, making people's consumption
of fish even safer. Fish remains one of the most healthful foods to
include in a well-balanced diet.
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