Kerry Statement on EPA Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

[ProSense]

Kerry Statement on EPA Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today issued a statement on the EPA’s final standards which, for the first time ever, will reduce mercury and other toxic air pollution from coal and oil-fired power plants. These old power plants threaten public health and account for roughly two-thirds of the nation’s toxic mercury emissions each year.

“The bottom line is, this will mean fewer heart attacks and asthma attacks, fewer kids exposed to mercury, and thousands of good jobs for the American workers who will build, install, and operate the equipment to reduce these toxic pollutants,” said Sen. Kerry. “Smart health and environmental protections go hand in hand with economic growth and reliable, affordable energy.”

Throughout his career, Senator Kerry has been dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of Americans by pushing for better environmental standards. He has championed everything from safer drinking water to preventing toxic chemicals in our homes to most recently pushing for a comprehensive solution to global climate change, an issue that will affect all of us.

http://kerry.senate.gov/press/release/?id=af3c6ffc-da8b-4b67-91d5-26e4bc579f15

More:

http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/fbeinecke/obama_announces_standards_to_k.html

http://www.grist.org/fossil-fuels/2011-12-21-the-mercury-rules-announced-today-are-a-bona-fide-big-deal

[karynnj]

1. This really is an important move by the EPA

I was shocked hearing John Kerry speaking of how many lakes and rivers were so high in mercury that you can't eat the fish - if you care about your health. (I still have the list breaking out fish by mercury, PBA and other toxins - to avoid the worst of them.) I was impressed and surprised by Kerrry's own candor in speaking of having found his mercury levels were high - likely due to liking fish.

His and Teresa's book showed their concern for things like this.