AP: EPA Rule Means State Must Scale Back Mercury Controls

[Hissyspit]

Pointed out by John at Americablog.com. As he points out, the Bush administration "are actually forcing Wisconsin to allow MORE pollution and SCALE BACK it's already existing anti-pollution laws. Isn't that lovely."

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/politics/11144550.htm

Posted on Tue, Mar. 15, 2005
EPA rule means Wisconsin must scale back new mercury controls

JAMES A. CARLSON
Associated Press

MILWAUKEE - A newly announced federal order to reduce mercury pollution from coal-burning power plants will require weakening more stringent state controls that were enacted in Wisconsin only last year, a state official says.

"It's a little frustrating," said Lloyd Eagan, bureau director for the air management program at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in a telephone interview Tuesday night.

The Bush administration ordered Tuesday that power plants cut mercury pollution from smokestacks by nearly half within 15 years, but the worst polluters will be able to buy pollution "credits" from plants that give off less mercury than allowed.

By contrast, the state rule, effective last Oct. 1, required the state's four major power plants to cut mercury emissions in two phases - by 40 percent by 2010 and by 75 percent by 2015.

The rule also established a goal of an 80 percent reduction by 2018 to encourage more progress in reducing mercury pollution from the plants.

MORE

[xray s]

1. The only way the Republicans can hope to stay in power

Poison peples brains with mercury.

[Undercover Owl]

2. God hates enviro-hippies who whine about pollution.

Jesus is returning really soon, so it's okay to trash the earth.


Mercury exposure has been linked to autism:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=228x4797

[MountainKeeper]

3. It's okay to trash God's creation?

I don't care if people think God is coming back tonight, tomorrow, next year, or ten thousand years from now, it is not alright to trash this beautiful gift that has been given to us for our stewardship. Mankind has failed miserably in that regard. This administration is doing everything in it's power to dismantle the protections that have taken decades to achieve. It is a shame and disgrace.

[Undercover Owl]

4. I forgot to use "sarcastic" font.

<sarcasm> God says, let's go 4-wheelin across pristine beaches!</sarcasm>

But, on a discussion on a local Christian radio station, a lot of Christians (fundies, I suppose) reject protecting the environment because it "reminds them of new-age ideas". This is a real psychological issue with them. They think that protecting the environment will instantly transform them into a pagan hippy or something.

[Erika]

6. They better be told that their lack of doing nothing

is killing their grandkids.

[Hissyspit]

7. I believe that is now officially the stupidest thing I have ever heard

...in my life. (The radio discussion, not your post.) It reminds them of "new-age ideas?" Good f**king god. I have heard it all now. False logic twisted back over false logic. That actually takes some kind of talent. What kind, I don't really know. So, can we put the chemical-waste dump in their back yard? That will make them more pious?

Sad.

[priller]

9. "God will destroy them which destroy the earth" - Rev 11:18

Of course, as with every Bible verse, the meaning is open to interpretation.

[Erika]

5. Bush, killing them kindly

He doesn't give a varmints behind.

[Voltaire99]

8. Now if we can only get the fish out of mercury! (n/t)

[alarimer]

10. And I thought Republicans were big believers in states' rights??

Guess only when it applies to gay marriage.

[Danmel]

11. Our kids will be brain damaged, but safe from Ho-Mo-Sex-U-Als

I feel SO much better now.