Campaign Unavailable

NC's Environmental Management Commission adopted a mercury reduction rule this week that is stronger than the current federal rule. By 2018 coal-fired plants must install controls that will achieve the maximum level of mercury reductions possible. Since state of the art controls can already reduce mercury emissions by upwards of 90%, and technology is certain to improve between now and then, this rule should result in reductions of at least 90% by 2018.

While this rule is stronger it falls short by allowing Utilities to participate in the federal "cap-and-trade" program. It is unacceptable that the state kept in place a provision allowing coal-burning plants to receive credit for mercury reductions. Once recived these credits can be sold to other plants. This allows the buyer to emit higher levels of mercury which can potentially lead to 'hot spots' of mercury deposit. 

Click here for more details and a fact sheet on mercury pollution.

Here is what we know:

• Since mercury emissions create local toxic hot spots—the City of Charlotte is one—we remain opposed to the banking and trading of mercury credits.
• Recent studies show that the majority of mercury deposits come from local and regional coal burning plants.
• Eating contaminated fish is the primary pathway for human exposure to mercury.
• The State Health Director already lists 22 species of fish in North Carolina as unsafe for women of childbearing age and children to eat.
• Pre-birth and childhood exposure to mercury has been linked to lowered intelligence, learning disabilities, vision problems, and hearing problems.

Please take a moment to personalize your letter by adding why reducing mercury emissions is important to you.