Oct. 27, 2004 For Immediate Release: CONTACT: Karen Hadden 512-797-8481

Five of the ten worst mercury-polluting coal burning power plants in the nation are in Texas, according to a new report. The Limestone plant, near Waco, ranked the highest in the nation for mercury emissions, with 1800 pounds in 2002. The Monticello plant in Titus County in Northeast Texas ranked second with 1324 pounds of mercury. WA Parish, outside of Houston ranked 6th, and Martin Lake and Pirkey in the Longview/Tyler area ranked 8th and 9th respectively.

The report, Fishing for Trouble, How Toxic Mercury Contaminates Fish in U.S. Waterways, by Clear the Air, was released in Texas today by the SEED Coalition, Public Citizen, TexPIRG and other organizations.

"Mercury reductions are needed, as soon as possible at all the coal-burning power plants in order to protect our children from brain damage. Texas is already the nation's mercury hotspot and the EPA is failing to protect our health, so it is crucial that the Texas legislature take action to reduce mercury" stated Karen Hadden, Director of the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Coalition. "There are two new proposed coal plants now, for San Antonio and the Waco area, which would further risk the health of children and of wildlife. New coal plants make no sense, especially when energy efficiency and clean wind and solar energy could be used instead," added Hadden.

Texas' most recent mercury fish consumption advisories were for Lake Ratcliff in May of 2002 and for Lake Meredith in August of 2002. "The levels of mercury emissions from coal plants have risen for each of the three years of Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting, with a whopping 9815 pounds emitted in 2002, 33% higher than second ranked Ohio (7358 pounds.)" stated Hadden.

"Mercury contamination is a danger at many of our nation's favorite fishing spots," said Ed Parten of Texas Black Bass Unlimited. "Mercury contaminates our environment, threatens public health, and threatens the fishing industry," he continued.

Mercury is a dangerous toxic metal, especially for children. "Exposure to mercury can cause attention and language deficits, impaired memory, and impaired visual and motor function in children," noted Dr. Kimberly Carter, with Austin Physicians for Social Responsibility. Scientists at the EPA estimate that one in six women of childbearing age in the U.S. has levels of mercury in her blood high enough to put 630,000 of the four million babies born each year at risk of health problems due to mercury exposure. With Texas having 10% of the nation's mercury emissions, it appears likely that tens of thousands of Texas babies are at risk.

Power plants are the nation's single largest industrial source of mercury pollution, contributing 41 percent of U.S. mercury emissions. The report comes as the Bush administration prepares to finalize a highly controversial proposal that would let power plants emit six to seven times more mercury over the next decade than the Clean Air Act allows and would delay meaningful reductions until 2018 at the earliest.

"Especially bad for Texas is that the EPA plan allows utilities to buy mercury pollution credits from plants in other parts of the country, instead of reducing emissions here where we need it most. Trading has never before been allowed for a toxic pollutant, and it shouldn't be now. The danger is that toxic hotspots will be created. The bad news is that Texas is already the nation's mercury hotspot and we need clean up now," explained Hadden.

A costumed Mad Hatter, a character from Alice in Wonderland who was mad due to mercury exposure, rambled about muttering that the EPA mercury plan is "too little, too late." "The Bush administration should stop letting polluters off the hook and enforce the law so we don't have to worry about the impacts to children and wildlife,"noted Hadden.

Mercury contamination threatens recreational fishing, causing anglers to reduce the number of days they fish, choose other locations to fish, and take fewer overall fishing trips. In Texas, fishing is a $6.4 billion industry. "Fish and other wildlife are at risk from mercury, which can impact reproduction," noted Ed Parten.

Other key findings of the report include:

• Texas is among the twelve states with statewide advisories for the entire coastal areas for at least one species of fish, which is king mackerel for Texas.

• Texas has 12 mercury fish consumption advisories, with 329,784 lake acres under advisory. Texas freshwater advisories include fish such as drum, several species of bass, and walleye.

Other industrial sources, such as medical and municipal incinerators, have reduced their mercury emissions by more than 90 percent within a few short years, but power plants continue to emit unlimited amounts of mercury into the air. The technology is available to cost-effectively reduce power plant mercury emissions by at least 90 percent by 2008, as the law requires, even when lignite coal is used.

"Outraged Texans have called on the Bush administration to abandon its mercury-trading proposal and enforce the Clean Air Act by reducing mercury emissions from power plants by at least 90% from existing levels by 2008," noted Hadden.

"The EPA has not been acting in the best interests of Texas' children. We have 5 of the top 10 worst mercury polluters in the nation. EPA had proposed very weak rules, trading of mercury credits, and refused to hold a hearing in Texas. We need state leaders to step in now and protect our children from permanent brain damage from mercury," concluded Hadden.

Other contacts and resources:
Ed Parten - President of Texas Black Bass Unlimited -281-723-3828
Dr. Kimberly Carter- Austin Physicians for Social Responsibility dr_kcarter@yahoo.com
Kirk Wiles - State Health Services, Seafood and Aquatic Life Group - (512) 719-0215

A citizen action letter to EPA is available at:
www.seedcoalition.org/act.epa.leavitt.htm

A citizen action letter to Senators is available at: cleanairnow.org/cleanairnow.asp?id=223&id3=cleanairnow&

© All Rights Reserved SEED Coalition