In March, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its new rule to regulate the emissions of mercury and many other air toxics from coal-fired power plants. This new rule would reduce mercury emissions by 91 percent starting in 2015. EPA has estimated that for every dollar invested in cleaning up dirty old power plants, between $5 and $13 would be saved in human health costs. Unfortunately, plant owners are trying to delay this rule, and avoid cleaning up their plants.

Please contact the EPA today and let them know you want strong mercury reductions now. In your own words, please tell EPA:

• Mercury emissions harm people and wildlife such as loons, and damage the ecosystems of the Adirondacks;
  
• The Mercury Rule must be finalized this year, and reductions must be at least 91 percent;
  
• Weakening the reductions or delaying implementation is unacceptable and will only lead to preventable deaths and illnesses; and,
  
• The benefits to this rule far outweigh the costs, and will help to create jobs.

For more information about mercury, you can visit the information on mercury on our website or at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA is accepting comments until July 5th, so please contact them today. If possible, please email us at activists@adirondackcouncil.org and let us know that you contacted the EPA. Thank you!