States ask Upton to defend EPA mercury rules

The attorneys general of New York, Connecticut Delaware, Maryland and Massachusetts are asking House Energy and Commerce Chair Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) to oppose an effort to block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from requiring cement plants to reduce their mercury emissions.

House Joint Resolution No. 9, would block EPA from implementing new rules that require manufacturers of Portland cement to reduce emissions of mercury, particle pollution and other harmful pollutants, and has been referred to Upton’s committee.

According to EPA the new rule will save $6.7 to $18 billion in health and environmental costs and will cost the cement industry $350 million annually.

In a Feb. 14 letter to Upton the AGs wrote:

Contrary to claims of the supporters of H.J.Res.9, blocking the EPA regulations is also not needed to ensure the continued vitality of our country’s cement industry. Pollution control technologies for Portland cement plants are readily available. Because American companies manufacture pollution control equipment and American workers will install and maintain this equipment, the assertions that the EPA regulations will cost thousands of jobs are erroneous. In fact, EPA’s analysis shows that the net effect of the regulations on jobs is likely to be positive — potentially resulting in as many as 1,300 new jobs.

In summary, our states have been fighting for several years to ensure that our citizens are protected from mercury and other harmful air pollutants emitted from Portland cement plants. Our efforts helped compel EPA to set emission standards that are compliant with the statute and will make our air cleaner without adverse economic consequences.

Given your record of support of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, which established the EPA’s requirements to adopt the regulations some now seek to overturn, we hope that, as Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, you will oppose H.J.Res.9 and ensure that the citizens and environment in our states are able to enjoy these important air quality benefits.

According to Great Lakes Echo:

The Great Lakes states’ 18 cement plants reported to the EPA a total 1167 pounds of mercury air emissions in 2009. Cement plants burn coal to cook limestone and other ingredients in big kilns. Coal and limestone both contain mercury that is vaporized and released in the kiln’s emissions.
Airborne mercury falls into lakes and contaminates fish. Eating too much mercury-laced fish can cause brain and kidney damage, especially in young children.