Natural Resources Board Adopts Mercury Rule

Decision helps Protect Environment and the Health of Wisconsinites
Waupaca, Wis- The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board unanimously adopted a rule today that will require
utilities to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 90 percent by 2015 or by the same
percentage by 2021 if they agree to more stringent controls of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide—pollutants
which increase the toxicity of mercury.
“Reducing mercury pollution is essential to preserving our health and our way of life,” said Keith Reopelle,
senior policy director at Clean Wisconsin, the state’s largest environmental advocacy organization. “While
we would like to have seen a stronger rule, the adopted rule is significantly better than existing regulation
and will help greatly reduce the amount of toxic mercury in our air, lakes, rivers and streams.”
Chronic exposure to mercury can lead to memory loss, speech difficulties, troubles with vision, and
cardiovascular problems in adults. Infants and children are particularly susceptible to the dangers of mercury
exposure which can cause neurological damage resulting in developmental delays and low intelligence.
Individuals usually become exposed to mercury by eating fish that live in mercury-polluted lakes, rivers and
streams.
Coal-fired power plants represent Wisconsin’s largest contributors to mercury pollution.
“In a state that takes pride in a fishing tradition, it’s a sad fact that the DNR must list every inland body of
water under a fish consumption advisory because of mercury contamination,” Reopelle said. “This rule will
help ensure our families enjoy cleaner air and water.”
The adoption of the mercury rule falls two days after a Dane County District Court judge dismissed an
attempt from business groups to obtain a court order blocking the DNR from continuing work on the
mercury rule. The judge rejected the business groups’ claim that the DNR failed to properly perform an
economic analysis of the rule’s effect.
“This rule is a major step forward for Wisconsinites,” Reopelle said. “By reducing mercury pollution from
coal-fired power plants we help ensure future generations enjoy a clean and healthy environment.”
Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin’s clean water and air and advocates for clean
energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and polluters accountable. Founded in
1970 as Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental
laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. On behalf of its 10,000 members and its coalition partners, Clean
Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live, work and play. Phone: 608-251-7020,
Fax: 608-251-1655, Email: information@cleanwisconsin.org, Website: www.cleanwisconsin.org.
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