One of the Wisconsin Stewardship Network's priority issues is coming to a head.  "This is crunch time," says Marcus Looze, the WSN contact on mercury pollution.  The DNR has been developing new rules to lessen the contamination of Wisconsin's fish and waters by toxic mercury.  The new rules will be voted on by the Natural Resource Board on Wed., June 25 in Waupaca.

It's well understood by Wisconsin policy makers that coal burning power plants are fouling the air, water and environment with mercury emissions.  More than 2000 pounds of the pollutant soared skyward from state utility smokestacks during the year 2000, according to data compiled by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

The mercury falls from the sky with rain or snow, contaminating fish and the aquatic environment.  All of Wisconsin's 15,057 inland lakes are now covered by a fish consumption advisory warning pregnant women, children under 15, and women of childbearing age to limit their fish consumption because of mercury pollution.

The Pleasant Prairie coal plant near Kenosha spewed 580 pounds of mercury, tops among all state power plants.  And a recent report released by the National Wildlife Federation measured mercury in Milwaukee's rainfall at levels ten times higher than what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers "safe" in the Great Lakes and other waterways.

"We want to see as much mercury removed from the smokestacks as possible," says Looze.  But he confesses to some disappointment that the proposed rules are weaker than what its supporters initially sought.  The ball began rolling when a coalition of anglers, resort owners and environmental groups petitioned the DNR in 1999 and demanded mercury pollution rules (mercury remains the last major air pollutant for which there are no power plant regulations). 

The petitioners asked for rules requiring a 90% reduction in mercury smokestack emissions by the year 2010.  What the DNR is proposing are rules that would cut annual mercury pollution in two stages.  By the year 2010, utilities must remove 40% of the mercury content that's in coal fuel, and by 2015, the rules require 80% mercury removal.  (Click on this link to go to the DNR mercury rules page:  http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/aw/air/reg/mercury/ruledev.htm )

Aside from the timeframe, Looze says a significant weakening is the calculation measuring reduction not at the smokestack but in the mercury content of coal.  He points out that some mercury is already removed by current pollution control technologies used at many coal plants.  Looze explains that the fuel content approach yields an equivalent smokestack reduction of only 60-65% for the 2015 deadline.  "We really need to see this rule get stronger," Looze adds.

The rule also exempts incinerators, like the municipal garbage burner in Barron that annually pumps 150 pounds into the atmosphere. 

And thanks to a legislation pushed by the state's biggest business lobby - Wisconsin's Manufacturers and Commerce - the DNR is unable to effectively regulate Wisconsin's biggest mercury emitter.  The Vulcan Chemical Company in Port Edwards, a chlorine manufacturing plant, releases more than 1000 pounds of mercury into the air each year.  The Vulcan plant is governed by (weak) federal standards and the new state law prohibits Wisconsin from passing any rules tougher than the fed's.  So much for local control. 

Looze calls the Vulcan exemption "frustrating."  It's especially so, given that the estimated Vulcan clean-up pricetag of $25 million is far less than what the utilities will  likely spend on equivalent  reductions.

The Wisconsin Stewardship Network supports a 90% mercury reduction from coal smokestacks and other large generators and Looze says that's what groups and citizens need to fight for.  He urges supporters of a strong mercury rule to contact the Natural Resources Board.  They can call 608-267-7420 and leave a message or they can come to the meeting in Waupaca on June 25 and testify.   

If the Natural Resources Board approves some version of mercury pollution control rules, the package would then move to a state legislative committee.  Looze expects stiff opposition there from utilities opposing mercury rules.  "The utilities," he says, "are absolutely pounding down the the door on public officials."

"The rule is a step in the right direction," says Looze.  He suggests that anyone supporting a strong mercury pollution control rule contact him via email or by phone at 608-251-7020.  You can also check this site for regular updates.

- Will Fantle

back to the Wisconsin Stewardship Network home page