W.Va. 7th in U.S. for Mercury
EPA: 2,495 lbs. produced in 2010
Morgantown Dominion Post
22 November 2011
By Alex Lang
Recently released numbers from the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) show West Virginia is one of the worst states for mercury
emissions from power plants, but local facilities produce far less
than the worst offenders.
West Virginia produced 2,495 pounds of mercury in 2010 from power
plants, according to numbers released this month. That was
seventh-worst in the country. Texas was the worst offender, at
11,127 pounds; Ohio was second-worst, at 4,218 pounds.
Only one power plant in West Virginia made the top 25 list of
worst offenders, as compiled by the nonprofit agency Environment
America. The America Electric Power Amos Plant in Putnam Country
ranked 16th, at 585 pounds.
In Monongalia County, 281 pounds of mercury emissions were
produced in 2010 from three facilities, according to the EPA
numbers. A majority, 276 pounds, came from the Fort Martin Power
Station in Maidsville.
In Preston County, the Albright Power Station produced 91 pounds
of mercury emissions.
Mercury can lead to health issues, especially development
problems, said Lauren Randall, Clean Air Associate for Environment
America. High mercury levels for pregnant women or newborns can
lead to problems such as lower IQ.
The mercury from the emissions comes back to earth via rain and
can be digested by humans and other animals. Emissions from power
plants can also contribute to asthma and heart disease.
Those who live close to the plants are at the highest risk,
Randall said.
It is hard to quantify how much mercury is needed to say that a
certain level causes a significant health risk, Randall said.
However, she said research has shown that even a drop of mercury
into a small pond is enough to contaminate all the fish.
“Any mercury spewing out would pose potential risks,” Randall
said.
In an ideal world, coal plants would not put any mercury into the
air, Randall said. She added there are technologies available to
help reduce emissions. There are also alternative energy options
available.
The Fort Martin plant is the worst offender in the area, but First
Energy Spokesman Mark Durbin said it is also one of the largest.
He added the facility has scrubbers on it that help treat some of
the emissions, such as Mercury, before they get into the
environment.
Sierra Club Monongalia County Group Conservation Chair Jim Kotcon
said the Sierra Club is well aware that West Virginia plants have
significant mercury emissions.
He said the group continues to support the EPA’s proposed
legislation to limit emissions and that every year it is delayed
presents a direct health impact on the people of the state.
Recently, the EPA announced new emissions standards to be
implemented in 2013. One of the standards is to limit mercury
emissions to 16,600 pounds, a 92-percent reduction. According to
Environment America, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has introduced
legislation to delay enforcement of the new standards for at least
two years.
Kotcon said the club would like to see the regulations put in
place as soon as possible. He added they don’t want to see
congress interfering with EPA regulations.