The Merrimack Valley is Ground Zero of Mercury Pollution

[kerrygoddess]

The Merrimack Valley is Ground Zero of Mercury Pollution
18 May 2005



John Kerry released a statement today regarding the lawsuit filed by MA Attorney General Tom Reilly and the Attorney Generals of 9 other states (CA,CO, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ME, VT, WI), to stop Mercury Pollution. This issue struck home for me, because I grew up in the Merrimack Valley and lived there for 33 years. Both ocean and fresh water fish are considered to be contaminated in the Merrimack Valley area. For over a decade up to 5 solid waste incinerators continually pumped Mercury into the air without limitations.

“The EPA isn't living up to its responsibility to protect the people of Massachusetts from toxic mercury pollution. The Merrimack Valley is ground zero of mercury pollution, and it's clear that the administration's actions to undo pollution control standards will harm our families and our communities.

“I applaud Tom Reilly's decision to move forward with this lawsuit. When the Bush administration’s EPA refuses to turn over documents and hides the results of a Harvard study they commissioned themselves, we have a serious problem that must be addressed.

MORE & LINKS: http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=917

[kerrygoddess]

1. Latest news on Mercury issue

Groups Seek Tougher EPA Rules on Mercury

WASHINGTON - Some of the nation's top environmental groups said Tuesday they will join the efforts of at least 13 states hoping to force industry to install mercury pollution controls tougher than those imposed this spring by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA in March issued new regulations that it said would cut mercury pollution from power plants in half by 2020, from 48 tons a year now to 24.3 tons. The new rules rely on the markets to reduce pollution, with companies buying and selling allotted pollution limits.

Opponents of the new rules contend the agency should have required each plant to install the most effective technology to capture mercury emissions.

Attorney generals from at least 13 states, led by New Jersey, challenged the rules in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District court in Washington.

The Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation and Environmental Defense said they will file a separate legal challenge on Wednesday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050518/ap_on_go_ot/mercury_challenge