Senator Collins Urges EPA Action on Mercury

Press Release of Senator Collins

SENATOR COLLINS URGES EPA ACTION ON MERCURY

Contact: Elissa Davidson or Amy Swanstrom
Wednesday, March 9, 2005

Washington, D.C.-Senator Susan Collins wrote to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calling on the Agency to issue a strong rule on mercury emissions from power plants. The letter outlines how the EPA's proposed mercury rule not only falls far short of what is required by law but also fails to protect the health of our children and our environment.

"There are known adverse effects of mercury on people and the environment, and Mainers' health should not suffer because of harmful emissions from power plants in other parts of the country," Senator Collins said. "The EPA's current proposal on mercury falls far short of what the law requires and fails to protect the health of our children and our environment. I am calling on the Administration to withdraw their current mercury proposal and issue a new rule that would reduce mercury emissions in the shortest time possible to protect public health and the environment."

The EPA Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office have already issued reports criticizing the EPA's mercury rulemaking process. Further, both reports highlight serious deficiencies in EPA's analysis for children's health impacts. Senator Collins also sponsored the Clean Power Act that requires a 90 percent reduction in mercury emissions, in addition to reducing carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides from power plants.

The letter to the EPA was signed by a bipartisan group of 31 Senators, including Senator Olympia Snowe.

http://collins.senate.gov/low/pressreleases.htm