April, 2007
Mercury Standards a Welcome Achievement - Philadelphia Inquirier
by Jody Roberts, PhD
After months of tug of war in Harrisburg, and despite heavy lobbying efforts from the national coal industry, the citizens of Pennsylvania have something to cheer about with the institution of the new mercury standards ("Pa. mercury rule: Now the hard part," Feb. 21). Mercury, a known developmental neurotoxin and pollution problem, can't be fixed with a cap or trade- style policies. It must be eliminated from coal emissions. Allowing our dirty coal plants to continue to spew mercury by purchasing credits will not keep the chemical out of our air, waterways, soil and, inevitably, our children.
Electric utilities statewide will face several options. They can fight the implementation of the standards with lengthy and costly legal battles. They can find allies in the Legislature who might help to overturn the new standards. Or, they can seize this opportunity to start building the energy infrastructure of the future, right here in Pennsylvania. There's no such thing as clean coal, and as soon as we realize this, we can start thinking about the numerous opportunities Pennsylvania has in the emerging industry of alternative energy technologies.
Pennsylvania businesses and utilities have the chance now to put themselves at the forefront and lead nationally and internationally in the creation of new, clean energy technologies. Attempts to subvert, postpone, or otherwise undermine the new mercury standards will only leave the health of the citizens and our economy behind in the decades to come.
Mercury - Environment
