ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
PRAISES CONGRESSMAN McHUGH'S
NEW LEGISLATION TO CURB ACID RAIN, SMOG, MERCURY & CARBON
EMISSIONS FROM POWER PLANTS NATIONWIDE
Comprehensive Clean
Air Legislation Would Require Deeper, Faster Cuts in Pollution
Than Current Federal Clean Air Act Can Achieve
For more information:
John F. Sheehan
518-432-1770 (ofc)
518-441-1340 (cell)
518-456-4512 (home)
Released: Saturday, October 27,
2007
WILMINGTON, N.Y. - North Country
Congressman John McHugh has proposed a comprehensive new bill
to control smokestack emissions from the nation's power plants.
It
would be more effective than the current Clean Air Act at fighting
acid rain, smog, mercury contamination and global warming.
McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor, announced the new bill at a press
conference here today at the base lodge of the Whiteface Mountain
Ski Center. Whiteface Mountain is home to two of the nation's
most important air pollution monitoring facilities, with one
at the summit and another near the start of the Whiteface Mountain
Veterans' Memorial Highway.
The Adirondack Park is the worst-hit region of the United States
when it comes to acid rain. It has suffered widespread mercury
contamination from the same coal-fired power plants that cause
acid rain. The Park is likely to endure vast changes in its
ecosystems as a result of climate changes.
"We are thrilled to be part of the introduction of this
legislation to Congress," said Adirondack Council Executive
Director Brian L. Houseal. The Adirondack Council is a privately
funded, not-for-profit environmental research, education and
advocacy organization. The Council has been a national leader
in the fight against acid rain and mercury pollution since the
organization was founded in 1975.
"This bill would require deep cuts in the smokestack emissions
that cause acid rain and smog, as well as deep cuts in mercury
emissions," Houseal said. "The deadlines are faster
and the cuts are deeper than what is required under the Clean
Air Act or the more recent Clean Air Interstate Rule. There
would be no room for the 'creative reinterpretations' of clean
air rules that have become so common in Washington these days
as the Bush Administration has struggled to avoid enforcing the
law.
"Just as importantly, the bill would enact a real deadline
for a meaningful reduction in the carbon dioxide emissions that
lead to global warming," Houseal said. "We expect
strong bi-partisan support to develop quickly for this bill in
Congress."
The bill would require:
1. A 75-percent reduction in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides,
which cause acid rain and smog, by 2010; the Clean Air Interstate
Rule requires a 70-percent cut by 2015.
2. A 90 percent reduction mercury emissions by 2011; the current
federal standard is 70 percent by 2018, but is being challenged
in court because it allows for trading of mercury, a know toxin.
This bill mirrors New York's state regulation for mercury and
prohibits credit trading, while requiring the cuts four years
sooner than the state.
3. An 80 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050;
currently, there is no standard for carbon dioxide emissions
in federal law.
"The Adirondack Council
strongly supports this legislation and will work with the New
York Congressional delegation and others to advance it,"
said Houseal. "After a long period of skepticism by Congressional
leaders, now appears to be a good time to bring the House and
Senate together for an agreement on these issues.
"The whole world is watching to see what the United States
does about carbon and other pollutants," Houseal said.
"This bill would compel power plants to make cuts deep enough
to have a real impact on the world's climate. It would set an
example we hope the entire world will follow."
Founded in 1975, the Adirondack Council's mission is to ensure
the ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack
Park. The Adirondack Council is a privately funded not-for-profit
organization with members in all 50 United States and four continents.
The Council doesn't accept public, or taxpayer-funded, donations
of any kind. The Council carries out its missions through research,
education, advocacy and legal action.
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