http://www.earthjustice.org/news/press/2009/federal-government-cracks-down-on-mercury-pollution-from-cement-kilns.htmlFederal Government Cracks Down on Mercury Pollution From Cement Kilns
Air pollution rules from new administration will cut mercury pollution by between 81 and 93 percent
April 21, 2009
Washington, DC -- The federal government is proposing, for the first time, to reduce airborne mercury pollution from cement kilns with new rules issued today. The new standards will cut mercury pollution from the nation's more than 150 cement kilns between 11,600 and 16,250 pounds (or a reduction of 81 to 93 percent), according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Led by Lisa Jackson, the EPA Administrator newly appointed by President Obama, EPA is proposing first time standards for cement kilns of mercury, hydrochloric acid, and toxic organic pollutants such as benzene. In addition, the agency is strengthening the outdated standards for particulate matter to better control kilns' emissions of lead, arsenic, and other toxic metals.
Local and national environmental and public health advocates cheered the news, which follows a decade of delay and represents a hard-fought victory for those who have long pushed for these mercury limits. The new standards are being proposed as part of a court settlement reached between the US Environmental Protection Agency, the nonprofit environmental law firm Earthjustice representing Sierra Club and community groups in New York, Michigan, Montana, California and Texas, and the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Earthjustice prevailed in a string of lawsuits aimed at forcing EPA to set limits for airborne mercury pollution from cement kilns for nearly a decade. Such limits were due under the federal Clean Air Act in 1997.
"This is great news and is a promising sign that the new leadership at EPA and in the White House is serious about protecting public health and the environment," said Earthjustice attorney Jim Pew. "By stopping pollution at its source, we can keep mercury from poisoning the fish we eat. Bit by bit, we can reclaim our nation's waters and protect our children's health and our environment from dangerous mercury pollution."
Although cement kilns have avoided controlling their mercury pollution until now, they are one of the largest sources of mercury emissions nationwide and the worst mercury polluters in some states. But kilns can curb their mercury emissions by using cleaner raw materials, cleaner fuels, and readily available technology like scrubbers and activated carbon injection.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/23/cement-industry-mercury-a_n_190478.htmlCement Industry: Mercury And Toxins Must Stay!
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JOHN FLESHER | April 22, 2009 05:06 PM EST |
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A group representing the U.S. cement industry says a federal government plan for cutting emissions of mercury and other air toxins at its plants is unrealistic.
The Portland Cement Association said Wednesday a regulation drafted by the Environmental Protection Agency would cause some plants to close. The group said there would be shortages of cement, the key ingredient in concrete.
The industry also predicted more cement imports from countries with weaker standards.
EPA's proposed rule would require the nation's 99 cement plants to make steep reductions in releases of pollutants such as mercury, hydrochloric acid, hydrocarbons and soot.
The agency says cement kilns are America's fourth-largest source of airborne mercury. It says the proposed limits would save up to 1,600 lives a year.