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Great Lakes
Article:
Hello friends,
If you have not already done so, please contact the DNR
in support of a 90% mercury reduction rule for WI coal-fired
power plants by the year 2010 - the public comment deadline
is Mon. Oct. 15th. If you need more background information,
please check the Wisconsin Stewardship Network website:
http://www.wsn.org/
Below is a copy of a model letter I recently sent on behalf
of the Wisconsin Green
Party.
Thanks - John
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Oct. 7, 2001
Jon Heinrich DNR - Air Management/7 P.O.Box 7921 Madison,
WI 53707
RE: Mercury Air Emission Rule NR 446
Dear Mr. Heinrich,
The Wisconsin Green Party strongly urges the DNR to require
a 90% reduction in mercury emissions from coal fired power
plants by the year 2010. The tangible threat posed by
continued mercury pollution in terms of human health,
contaminated wildlife, and degraded water are serious
and far outweigh the mitigation cost to industry. Besides,
it is the DNR's mandate to safeguard Wisconsin's heritage
and ensure the socially responsible use of natural resources
- not excuse corporate profit at the public's expense.
As you are probably well aware, coal-fired power plants
are a primary culprit behind airborne deposition of mercury
throughout the Great Lakes Basin. Once introduced into
aquatic ecosystems, mercury remains a potent health threat
as it bioaccumulates in fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife
which are often consumed by humans. Certain groups such
as children, women of childbearing age, sport anglers,
and communities of color (Native Americans, Hmong) are
most adversely affected by this neurotoxin. A recent
National Academy of Sciences (NSA) study estimated up
to 60,000 newborns nationwide suffer learning disabilities
due to prenatal mercury exposure. The DNR has wisely recognized
this ticking timebomb and issued fish consumption warnings
for over 15,000 inland lakes throughout Wisconsin. But
it now needs to take strong preventative action, as well.
The Wisconsin Green Party has grave concerns with several
elements of the DNR's current mercury reduction plan.
The proposed 2017 deadline for 90% reduction is too late
- national legislation calls for a similar reduction by
2007 and pollution control specialists admit clean-up
is entirely feasible by 2010. Just how utilities comply
with the emission reduction has been left appropriately
flexible - whether through investing in better pollution
control technologies or implementing new energy conservation
efforts. This flexibility, though, should NOT include
pollution trading or product byback schemes. We can no
longer allow dirty coal plants to pass the buck and sacrifice
communities for the sake of "cheaper, cleaner"
electricity elsewhere. They need to be held accountable
for the local clean-up of their toxic fallout. Lastly,
the DNR should not be influenced by industry rhetoric
that compliance with this rule will jeopardize future
energy reliability. If nothing else, confronting the
true cost of coal may finally provide the necessary incentive
for utilities to shift towards cleaner renewable sources
and promote greater energy conservation.
Once again, the Wisconsin Green Party urges the DNR to
adopt a stronger mercury emission rule, requiring a 90%
reduction from coal fired power plants within the state
by the year 2010. We look forward to hearing of your
decision.
Sincerely,
John E. Peck
Co-Spokesperson
Wisconsin Green Party
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