Monticello Ranked 2nd In Mercury Pollution

News for: October 29th 2004, Friday
KOYN-FM
East Texas News

According to SEED Coalition Karen Hadden says five of the ten worst mercury polluting coal plants are in Texas.

"Monticello ranks second in the nation for mercury pollution with 1324 pounds in 2002." Monticello is second behind Limestone near Waco. Karen Hadden says that is a problem for fresh water fish.

"These big reservoirs are having problems with high levels of mercury in the bass and that is a shame because that is good eating fish. People like to eat the bass."

What is considered too high a level of mercury emissions? Drew Douglas Corporate Communications with TXU in Dallas,

"Currently there are no regulations for Mercury, from power plants. The government right now is, and the industry is working with the government and the EPA to establish those new regulations."

How does a power plant lower the level of mercury emissions?

"Burn the coal at different temperatures; we can put on scrubbers, those types of things…No one really knows right now how to help contain or reduce mercury, but we are doing the research that is necessary, working with government, working with universities around the area to reduce that."

Karen says Texas is the nation’s mercury hotspot and the EPA is failing to protect our health.

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