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Mercury and Energy The last three decades of measured and effective federal clean air legislation, initiated by Clean Air Act, have shown us that environmental and economic objectives can be accomplished together. Our air is clearer. Our water is cleaner. And, consumers and businesses in Illinois and across the nation have been able to enjoy conveniences and efficiencies made possible through the availability of affordable, reliable energy. While energy demand has steadily increased over the years, some of the by-products of energy production, including mercury emissions, have actually decreased. What has increased is some confusion surrounding the issue of mercury emissions. What causes them? Can you avoid them? Are they harmful to your health?
Sources of Mercury Half of the global emissions of mercury come from natural sources, such as oceans and volcanoes; the oceans alone contain millions of tons of naturally occurring mercury. Mercury emissions from power generators in the U.S. represent just 1 percent of global emissions. These emissions are decreasing and will continue to decrease as a result of federal mercury controls announced in 2005. Seventy percent of mercury depositions found in the U.S. comes from natural sources and non-U.S. emissions originating primarily from Asia and particularly, China, where economic growth and industrial expansion are booming. The projected annual growth in China’s mercury emissions alone is more than half of current U.S. power plant emissions in total.* Other man-made sources of U.S. mercury depositions include utility boilers,municipal waste combusters and medical waste incinerators. Mercury and Fish Because the tuna, swordfish and other fish on Illinois dinner tables comes from oceans far away, emissions from Illinois coal-fired power plants have little, if any, affect on mercury levels. And, even when fish are tested for mercury exposure, only trace amounts can be found.
Pregnant women, women of childbearing age and children are often the subjects of greatest concern when it comes to fish consumption and methylmercury, the form of mercury found in fish. In a 2005 Centers for Disease Control study of methylmercury levels, none of the people studied, including children, had levels that were high enough to place them at risk.
Fish are a primary source of nutrients called omega-3 fatty acids. A study by Dr. Joseph Hibbeln of the National Institutes of Health, reported in a January 2006 issue of The Economist, finds that the benefits to women and children of eating fish high in omega-3s greatly outweigh the risks from the methylmercury in them. We’re doing our part to reduce emissions Energy producers in Illinois recognize that mercury is an important issue and we are working to provide a proportionate solution to our emissions contribution. We supported the development of the USEPA’s Clean Air Mercury Rule, the first-ever mercury emissions regulations issued anywhere in the world.
We have also invested millions of dollars in developing and testing technologies that will help Illinois energy producers meet the federal requirements on schedule. Despite the promise of the federal plan, Governor Blagojevich has introduced a proposal to achieve 90 percent reductions statewide by by July 1, 2009. No evidence exists that the more stringent proposal will go beyond current federal regulations in affecting mercury levels in fish, reducing the need for fish advisories in the state or decreasing Illinois citizens’ exposure to mercury. Instead, the accelerated pace of this proposal has the potential to put Illinois’ jobs and competitiveness at risk. As with past successful federal environmental regulations, the federal mercury rule is intended to balance reductions with the technical and economic feasibility of industry to achieve them. We should strive for the same kind of balance here in Illinois in order to protect the environment, the reliability of the electricity grid, consumer rates for electricity, Illinois jobs and the competitiveness of our state’s businesses. ___________
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