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Mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants are a significant public health threat to North Carolina’s newborns. The state’s 14 coal-fired power plants, owned by Duke Energy and Progress Energy, account for 75% of the mercury emitted in North Carolina. Studies from across the nation show that much of the mercury falls near where it is emitted, contaminating fish, and threatening the health of children whose mothers eat contaminated fish while pregnant. Nationally, roughly 10% of women of childbearing age have unsafe level of mercury in their blood; in 2005, a study of North Carolina (testing hair) volunteers found that over 20% of participating women of childbearing age had unsafe levels. The cause and solution are clear: we need to reduce power plant emissions to reduced fish contamination and threats to human health.

On November 9, 2006, the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC) completed months of work on a rule to require control of mercury from coal fired electric generating plants in North Carolina. This rule will, if implemented properly, require installation of state of the art mercury controls at all coal fired power plants in the state by December 31, 2017. The decision of which technologically and economically feasible controls can achieve “the maximum level of reduction” will be made in 2013. 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, we look forward to this substantial reduction in mercury emissions, we note that the timetable is needlessly long. The technology to achieve 90% reductions is available now and could be applied at all 14 power plants in North Carolina within just a few years. Moreover, the final EMC rule allows trading and banking of mercury credits, conceivably allowing utilities to comply with the rule (by buying credits) without making actual reductions at every plant. 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.

That said, the final EMC mercury rule is a substantial improvement over the existing federal baseline. The Bush Administration Clean Air Mercury Rule requires a mere 69% reduction in mercury emissions by 2018, and it allows banking and trading or mercury credits. The final rule also reflects a significant improvement over the weaker option originally proposed for public comment by the EMC: no action beyond Clean Smokestacks reductions until 2013, followed by an open-ended determination of whether additional reductions would be needed to meet the federal standard or protect public health by 2018 or 2023. 

We attribute the improvements in the rule to the hard work of public health advocates and concerned residents across the state. During the public comment period the EMC received over 3,000 public comments and they were overwhelmingly in support of stronger reductions in mercury emissions in fewer years. The EMC’s final rule, if properly implemented in 2013, will achieve the strongest possible reductions, albeit much later than necessary. North Carolina’s investor-owned utilities – Duke Energy and Progress Energy – are of course capable of reducing mercury emissions much sooner. Given that annually, more than 13,000 North Carolina newborns are probably exposed to dangerous levels of mercury while still in the womb, and that it takes several years before emissions reductions can translate into a lower threat to public health, there is no time to waste for the utilities to control mercury. We call on the utilities to show basic corporate responsibility and reduce their mercury emissions well in advance of the deadlines in the final EMC rule.

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Mercury pollution is a threat to public health
North Carolina should reduce mercury emissions from coal plants, now.

Here’s what we know: North Carolina has a mercury problem.

• 70% of the mercury released in the state comes from coal-fired power plants.
• According to EPA’s best study, most mercury falls to earth near where it is released.
• North Carolina’s rivers and estuaries are particularly sensitive to mercury, and North Carolina’s fish are contaminated.  The state has tested over 1,000 largemouth bass across the state and found unsafe levels of mercury everywhere.  The State Health Director lists 22 species of fish in North Carolina as unsafe for women of childbearing age and children to eat.
• Young children and the babies of pregnant mothers who eat mercury-laden fish are at risk of neurological damage – lowered intelligence, permanent learning and thinking problems.

The solution is within reach: 90% reductions for all coal plants.

• Current rules will cut plant emissions roughly 65% by 2013; that’s not enough.
• Controls are available to cut over 90% of mercury emissions by 2010.
• If borne entirely by residential customers – no cost to industry – a 90% cut would cost just 33 cents to 77 cents per household per month (or less than $10 a year).
• If borne entirely by the utilities, a 90% cut would cost less than 2 percent of their annual profits.
• It may take years for reductions to result in cleaner rivers and fish.  We need to start now.

What is North Carolina’s record on mercury emissions?

• North Carolina ranks 10th in the United States for the highest mercury emissions, with 3,038 pounds of mercury emitted in 2003.
• Both Duke Power and Progress Energy appear on the list of the top 20 mercury emitting energy companies in the nation.
• Under the 2002 Clean Smokestacks Act, North Carolina utilities will reduce mercury emissions by as much as 65% as a side benefit of other pollution controls. 

Why is exposure to mercury harmful?

• Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain, heart and immune system.
• Mercury poses particular risks for developing fetuses and children. Even low-level exposure can cause learning disabilities, developmental delays, and other serious problems.
• Scientists estimate that 10% of women of childbearing age have enough mercury in their bodies to put a child at risk should they become pregnant.

How can I become exposed to mercury?

• Eating contaminated fish is the primary pathway for human exposure to mercury. 
• Mercury is released into the air by power plant smokestacks.  It is then washed out of the air and into our waterways by rain, snow and dust.
• Mercury accumulates in fish, typically reaching its highest concentration in predator fish at the top of the food-chain.
• Several species of fish in North Carolina, including king mackerel and swordfish, are listed as unsafe for children and pregnant women to eat because of mercury contamination.
• Scientists found that a drop of mercury, deposited in a mid-sized Wisconsin lake over the course of a year, was enough to contaminate all of the fish in the lake.

Other states are showing leadership.  Why aren’t we?

• Other states have proposed strong rules: Illinois (90% by 2009); Massachusetts (85% by 2008, 95% by 2012); New Jersey (90% by 2007); Connecticut (90% by 2008); Georgia (80% by 2010, 90% by 2015); Pennsylvania (80% by 2010, 90% by 2015); Maryland (80% by 2010, 90% by 2013); Michigan (90% by 2015).
• The national association of state & local air pollution officials has recommended a 90% - 95% cut by 2012.