Environment DEC
From the January 2007 issue
State Environmental Board Approves New Regulation to Improve Air Quality
At a recent public meeting, the New York State Environmental Board approved new regulations that will significantly reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. In May 2006, it was announced that New York State will be reducing harmful mercury emissions from coal-fired utility power plants. Current levels will be reduced by approximately 50 percent by 2010 and 90 percent by 2015.
Effects of Mercury Pollution
Exposure to high levels of mercury
can cause serious health problems
Mercury is a toxic pollutant that accumulates in the environment. It pollutes the air through processes that use coal to generate electric power. Mercury also can combine with other elements to form both inorganic and organic compounds, and exposure to these or high levels of metallic mercury can damage the nervous system and kidneys. Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable, and if women of child-bearing age are exposed to unsafe levels of the pollutant, their children may suffer brain damage or behavioral and developmental problems.
Two Phases of Reduction
The mercury regulation will be enacted in two phases. The first phase requires an approximately 50-percent decrease in power-plant mercury emissions from current levels by January 1, 2010. Under this regulation, the state will establish a statewide mercury cap of 786 pounds. Facilities will have to reduce mercury emissions and will not be able to trade with other power-plant facilities in New York or other states.
The second phase, which will be effective by January 1, 2015, will implement a unit-based limit for each power-plant facility. In conjunction with the first-phase reductions, this will result in an estimated 90 percent decrease in mercury emissions from current levels, with overall levels being reduced to approximately 150 pounds per year or less. This phase will require a level of emissions reductions consistent with those achieved by applying a Maximum Available Control Technologies (MACT) requirement under the Federal Clean Air Act.
