Governor Requires Power Plants to Reduce Toxic Mercury Pollution: A Victory for Public Health and the Environment

On April 17, 2006, Governor Granholm announced that she is requiring power plants to reduce toxic mercury pollution by 90%, a step that will clean up Michigan’s waterways and protect the health of Michigan families. “Our kids should be mercury-free, and today’s announcement is a huge step towards making that goal a reality,” said PIRGIM Field Organizer Jason Barbose. “It’s really a major victory for our health and environment.”

Governor Granholm’s announcement directs the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to immediately begin a rule-making to require coal-burning power plants to reduce mercury emissions. The Governor’s recommendation for a 90% reduction in mercury emissions by 2015 sets the stage for a strong final rule that will adequately protect public health.

“We know that mercury pollution spewed into the air from power plants in Michigan ends up in the fish we eat. We also know that mercury can cause serious health problems like learning disabilities in kids,” said Barbose. “It is common sense to quickly and affordably reduce this threat, and it’s wonderful that the Governor is doing so.”

Power plants are the largest industrial source of U.S. mercury emissions. In Michigan, coal-burning power plants emit 2,464 lbs of mercury each year. As a result, mercury pollution is so pervasive in Michigan that the state has posted mercury-related fish consumption advisories for every inland lake and all 2,199 miles of Great Lakes coastline. These advisories warn people to avoid or limit their consumption of certain types of fish. Due to high levels of mercury emissions, the U.S. EPA estimates that one in six women has enough mercury in her body to put her child at risk should she become pregnant.

In addition, Mercury contamination is a threat to recreational fishing. In 2001, Michigan anglers spent $838,558,000 on recreational fishing, ranking Michigan ninth largest in the country for money spent on recreational fishing.

LDA of Michigan, a member of the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health, supported PIRGIM’s campaign to reduce mercury from power plants in order to protect children and families from the dangers of this potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain, heart, and immune system.

For more information on environmental health issues, visit the Healthy Children's Section on the LDA of MI website: http://www.ldaofmichigan.org/healthychild.htm.