McHugh Successful in Fight to Include Acid Rain, Mercury Provisions in Climate Change Legislation
Important Victory in Longtime Fight to Protect NY from Devastating Impact of Pollutants
Washington,
Jun 26 -
Congressman John M. McHugh (R-Pierrepont Manor), a longtime advocate of regulating mercury emissions and the pollutants that cause acid rain, was successful in his fight to get provisions related to these pollutants included in the climate change bill that passed the House of Representatives today. Congressman McHugh is the only member of the House of Representatives to have authored and introduced legislation in the current and past Congress to specifically limit the emissions of sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury from coal-fired power plants. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions cause acid rain, which, along with mercury pollutants, have had a devastating impact in the Adirondacks and across the nation.
Congressman McHugh released the following statement:
“As all of us in Northern and Central New York know, the effects on our region from coal-fired power plants are, and have been, devastating. For years, legislators and environmental advocates in New York and across the country have been working to enact meaningful regulations on sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and mercury. For too long, Congress had failed to act. That changed today.
“This legislation provided the best opportunity since I have been in Congress for significant legislative action to be taken in the fight to combat acid rain and mercury precipitation. Given the current lack of any certain regulatory structure caused by judicial action striking down existing regulations, the time to act is now. My amendment provides an 18 month time frame for the Environmental Protection Agency to study the effects of different carbon reduction strategies on reducing emissions of NOx, SO2 and mercury. This will ensure that as we move to control greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from coal-fired power plants that emit mercury, NOx and SO2, we do not lose the opportunity to implement the most cost effective ways of controlling soot, smog and mercury. This report puts us on a path to action, which is an absolute imperative.
“Unfortunately in Congress, we rarely get to vote on perfect legislation. We have to make tough choices. This bill was certainly far from perfect. I am hopeful that as the Senate takes up this proposal and we continue discussions in the House, significant sections will be improved. Furthermore, I hope that the final version of this legislation, after consideration by the United States Senate and a conference committee, will include even stronger regulations of these harmful emissions. My amendment makes this possible.
“Today’s vote was a victory for our region. New York is home to many of our nation’s greatest lakes, rivers, and forests. By being a responsible steward of our environment, we will reap greater economic gains for our region and an enhanced quality of life for us all.”
Additional Quotes
“Congressman John McHugh’s amendment has improved the Waxman Climate Change Cap and Trade Bill, without slowing down or impeding the passage of this crucial legislation,” said Brian L. Houseal, Executive Director of the Adirondack Council, a leading environmental organization focusing on acid rain and climate change; New York’s 9,300-square-mile Adirondack Park is suffering from both. “McHugh’s addition to the bill is the very first action Congress will have taken on the still unsolved problem of acid rain since the demise of the Clean Air Interstate Rule last December. EPA will have 18 months to tell Congress what further pollution cuts will be needed to completely control sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury pollution, currently spewing from those same power plant smokestacks that will be ordered to make carbon dioxide cuts under the Cap and Trade Bill.”
“The Adirondack Mountain Club worked closely with Congressman McHugh to help craft his four-pollutant legislation, so we’re thrilled that the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 incorporates provisions designed to achieve the objectives of McHugh’s bill,” said Neil Woodworth, Executive Director of the Adirondack Mountain Club. “This addition to Waxman-Markey makes a good bill even better because it addresses acid rain and mercury contamination as well as climate change.”
Background
Sulfur and nitrogen emissions cause acid rain, which destroys forests, kills aquatic life, and poisons water. Additionally, scientific studies have identified a relationship between elevated levels of the fine particles that cause acid rain and increased illness and premature death from heart and lung disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis. Mercury emissions have been linked to neurological and kidney disorders, particularly in the development of fetuses.
Congressional action is needed immediately due to judicial activity in the past year. In July 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated the 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), which called for a 70 percent reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions and a 60 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions by 2015 from 28 Eastern States. Although the CAIR has been temporarily reinstated, the EPA has said it will take years for a final ruling. Furthermore, in February 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), which for the first time created a national mercury emissions regulation program. The CAMR called for a 70 percent reduction in mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 2018. This rule has not been reinstated, thus allowing mercury emissions to be completely unregulated at the Federal level.
Congressman McHugh introduced the Acid Rain and Mercury Control Act in April 2009, which is similar to legislation he authored and introduced in the 110th Congress. Prior to that, Congressman McHugh had long worked with other Representatives from the New York State Delegation by authoring and cosponsoring legislation to restrict these emissions. The Adirondack Council and the Adirondack Mountain Club are strong supporters of Congressman McHugh’s work to combat acid rain and mercury precipitation.
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