Senate Approves Legislation to Reduce Mercury Emissions

Senate Bill 1201 Represents "Common Sense" Approach to Tackling Pollution

The Senate today (June 20) approved legislation intended to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants and sent the bill to the House for consideration, according to Senator Don White, R-41st District, and a cosponsor of Senate Bill 1201.

"I am pleased that the Senate acted on this important bill," said Senator White. "This legislation addresses the issue in a practical manner that provides a necessary balance between protecting our environment and protecting our local economy."

Under SB 1201, Pennsylvania's coal-fired power plants will be required to reduce mercury emissions by 86 percent, no later than 2018. In March 2005, the United States became the first nation in the world to regulate mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. States have until November 2006 to indicate to the federal government how they intend to implement the mercury emission reduction rule.

"SB 1201 is a common sense bill," Senator White said. "It provides clear and reasonable guidelines for our local power plants. The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a series of public hearings on these proposed regulations and I sincerely believe that the input provided by all parties, businesses and environmentalists, were taken into account in the language of this bill."

The legislation approved by the Senate:

Requires mercury emission reductions of 86 percent over 1999 emission rates, and 94 percent as measured from the coal content;
Maximizes the co-benefits to be achieved under the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR);
Utilizes an emission allowance cap and trade program, providing incentives for power plants to comply earlier and achieve greater emission reductions;
and, Enjoys the support of a broad coalition of business, coal and labor associations.