 Mercury Emissions
Updated June 2007
Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR)
On March 15, 2005 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) which caps and reduces mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. The rule creates a cap and trade program that will operate in two phases to cap mercury emissions at 38 tons by 2010 and 15 tons beginning in 2018. This will amount to a nearly 70% reduction. The rule includes incentives for development of new mercury control technologies, as well as penalties for noncompliance. Under the new rule states and tribes were required to submit state or tribal plans by November 17, 2006. However, an increasing number of states are choosing to opt out of the CAMR in favor of adopting more stringent regulations.
Recent State Action on Mercury
Colorado and Pennsylvania Adopt Strict Mercury Standards
Representatives from the environmental community, local governments and from Colorado's coal industry worked together to craft a mercury reductions agreement which they submitted to the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission in early February. Colorado has 25 coal fired power plants. Under the agreement, two of the largest units will reduce emissions 80 percent by 2012, while the remaining 23 units have until 2014 to reach the 80 percent reductions target. Ultimately, coal-fired power plants in Colorado must cut their mercury emissions 90 percent by 2018. Colorado will not participate in the federal cap and trade program.
Pennsylvania's mercury emissions reductions standards went in effect in mid-February after first being proposed by Gov. Ed Rendell last year. The new rule requires an 80 percent reduction of mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 2010, and a 90 percent reduction by 2015. Pennsylvania has 36 coal-fired power plants and is the second largest emitter of mercury in the country. In order to meet the new requirements, an industry representative predicts that plants will install pollution prevention technologies or switch to lower mercury coal. Pennsylvania currently does not participate in the federal cap and trade program, although reportedly, legislation may be introduced that will allow for interstate mercury emissions trading.
Colorado Mercury Rule
Pennsylvania Inquirer Article
New York
The New York State Environmental Board approved new regulations that will reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired utility power plants by 50% in 2010 and by 90% in 2015.
Under the regulations approved December 18, 2006, New York coal-fired power plants will be required to reduce mercury emissions in the state to 786 pounds by January 1, 2010 and to 150 pounds by January 1, 2015. Plants will not be able to trade emissions.
Read the full story.
NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation press release.
Illinois
On December 12, 2006 the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules of the Illinois General Assembly unanimously approved Governor Rod. R. Blagojevich's plan to reduce mercury emissions. The new rule will require Illinois coal-fired power plant to achieve a 90% mercury reduction by 2015. Additionally, the rule will require between 65% and 85% reductions in sulfur dioxide by 2019.
Citing the serious health concerns associated with mercury, Gov. Blagojevich said, "The federal government hasn't gone far enough to reduce mercury emissions, but instead of waiting around for them to act, we're doing what we have to do to protect Illinois families." The Environmental Protection Agency mercury reduction rules require a 70% reduction by 2018.
Governor Blagojevich also announced the formalization of an agreement with the largest coal-fired power plant company in Illinois, Midwest Generation. The agreement will not only lead to the dramatic reduction of mercury emissions, but will also reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. Some of the reductions Midwest Generation has agreed to make include: 95% mercury emissions by 2018, 68% nitrogen oxide emissions by 2012, and 80% sulfur dioxide emissions by 2019. The company will achieve these reductions through closure of power generating units and installation of pollution control equipment on all remaining units. Midwest has also agreed not to purchase emissions credits from outside of Illinois.
STLToday.com article
Governor Blagojevich's Press Releases
 Air Quality page
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