Oppose Dirty Air Riders to S. 1813
Protect Children from Mercury Pollution from Industrial Boilers
On February 16, 2012 the Council strongly supported the final publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Mercury and Air Toxics Rule, the nation’s first ever national standard to reduce toxic emissions like mercury, dioxin and arsenic from coal-fired power plants. This was an exciting milestone for Clean Air Council and our environmental partners across the region who have been working together to protect children from mercury pollution - a dangerous neurotoxin that harms a child’s developing brain.
Senator Susan Collins (R – Maine) has introduced an off-topic rider to the Senate transportation bill (SA 1660 to S.1813) eliminating EPA’s mercury and air toxic standards for industrial boilers and incinerators. This rider also would significantly delay and weaken clean-up of toxic air pollution from these sources, which function as industrial power plants. These units mainly burn coal and are the nation’s second largest industrial source of mercury. The Council believes that these public health safeguards are critical in the fight to protect children’s health.
Please join the Council in telling our Senators that we cannot tolerate another attack on public health protections. Take action right now by calling your Senator or sending them an email asking them to protect American children from mercury pollution from all industrial sources.
