Republican Senator James Inhofe has started the process to block the mercury and air toxics rule promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency in December. If successful, the Congressional Review Act will prevent the agency from ever protecting our air and waters from this dangerous poison.
Mercury Is A Poison
Uncontrolled mercury emissions are responsible for "up to 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks and 130,000 asthma attacks every year." In Pennsylvania, streams run with mercury and power plants are the biggest source of this pollution.
EPA Rule Stops The Poison
The mercury regulation will stop 90% of the mercury currently being emitted by power plants. This will bring the power industry up to the same standards being met by medical waste incinerators and municipal waste combustors. The rule will save up to $90 billion in health costs each year, far above the estimated $10 billion in costs to utilities. Furthermore, in 2016, the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards will yield between $1.8 billion and $4.4 billion in benefits in Pennsylvania.
Mercury Rule Will Create Jobs
Recent studies have found that the mercury rule is likely to create 1.5 million jobs. These studies clearly refute claims that the rule adversely affects employment.
Sierra Club Strongly Supports The Mercury And Air Toxics Rule
The Sierra Club spoke strongly for the adoption of the mercury rule. It urged its members and the public to take action in support of the rule.
Take Action To Save The Rule
The Sierra Club has made it easy to contact your senators and representatives on this important issue. Use its simple web form to make your voice heard. Writing to the editor of your local paper is also important. Contact Sierra Club's William Kramer, william.kramer (at) sierraclub (dot) org, for some sample letters and send him a copy of the letter you write so that we can publish it on this blog.
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