Georgians Call for an End to Coal Death Toll

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 25, 2011

Contact: Jennette Gayer, Jennette@environmentgeorgia.org, 404-892-3573

Big Turnout Planned in Support U.S. EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Rule for Power Plants

Atlanta, GA -- Mothers and fathers, fishermen and farmers, as well as concerned business folks from all over Georgia will show their support for US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Mercury and Air Toxics Rule for power plants on Thursday in Atlanta where the Agency is holding one of only three hearings. Hundreds of people are expected to voice their support for the critically important public health protection.

“Powering our homes should not poison our kids,” said Jennette Gayer, Program Coordinator for Environment Georgia. “After decades of dirty energy lobbyists getting their way, EPA has finally issued a rule that is a major step toward clean air and healthy Americans. It’s about time dirty coal companies are required to clean up their act.”

EPA estimates that the rule--which cuts mercury and other toxic air pollutants like arsenic and acid gases from power plants--will for the first time reduce mercury from power plants nationwide by 91 percent, prevent 12,200 trips to the hospital, and save 17,000 lives each year once it is implemented. EPA is currently collecting public comments for this rule; the public comment period ends July 5^th. EPA will use all comments it collects during this period to inform the content of the final rule, which will be finalized November 16, 2011.

The Mercury and Air Toxics Rule will significantly cut an array of toxic air pollutants like mercury, arsenic, lead, and acid gases which are linked to cancer, heart disease, neurological damage, birth defects, asthma attacks and even premature death. Exposure to mercury impacts a child’s fundamental cognitive and physical capacities – the ability to walk, talk, read, write and learn. Mercury pollution is so widespread that as many as one in six women of childbearing age has enough mercury in her blood to put at risk any child she carries. Coal-fired power plants are the single largest source of mercury pollution, arsenic and acid gases. The coal industry has successfully blocked EPA from protecting public health and issuing strong requirements that would cut mercury and other toxic air pollutants from power plants.

“Every river and creek south of a line from Columbus, through Macon, to Augusta that has ever been sampled has had mercury levels in fish that are too high for folks who catch them to not have to worry about how much to dose themselves,” said Gordon Rogers, Flint Riverkeeper. “It is time for this to end. We have the technology, and we can afford it.”

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