Mercury emissions targeted by state, Xcel

November 22, 8:52 PMDenver City Buzz ExaminerRichard Blake

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In February the Bush Administration's Mercury Control Plan was struck down by a Federal Appeals Court because the Administration failed to adhere to the Clean Air Act, by exempting power plants from controls.  At the same time the EPA estimated that 1400 pounds of mercury per year were being released by Colorado's coal fired plants, including Denver's Arapahoe Plant, at Santa Fe and Evans.  The Administration has appealed the ruling and in January the Supreme Court will decide if it will hear the case. 

As a result the Colorado State Air Quality Control Commission Thursday joined Connecticut and Arizona in issuing regulations requiring monitoring of mercury emissions from Colorado coal burning plants starting on January 1, 2009.  The regulations are the first step in a program that seeks to reduce mercury emissions by 80% by 2014 and 90% by 2018.  Eleven plants will be affected by the rules. 

Xcel Energy plans to cut the mercury emissions of their Pawnee and Rawhide Power Plants by 80% by 2012.  The Pawnee Plant is located near Brush and the Rawhide Power Plant, located near Owl Canyon north of Ft. Collins is already considered one of the cleanest coal fired plants in the nation.  On August 20th Xcel announced plans to close two coal fired plants, the Arapahoe plant and the Cameo plant in Grand Junction, marking the first time a utility offered to close a coal-fired plant in response to environmental concerns (http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/08/18/daily23.html).

Mercury pollution has been cited as a source of birth defects, central nervous system disorders, brain damage, cardiac and other health problems.  Animals at the top of the food chain tend to concentrate mercury, the result being that certain types of fish, such as tuna, shark and swordfish are not recommended for pregnant women.  Alarmingly, however, mercury pollution is not confined to ocean fish.  In a report by the Mountain States Institute and Environment Colorado (http://www.mountainstudies.org/research/pdf/Hg_report_MAy08.pdf) it was reported that mercury fish advisories have been issued for several western Colorado waters, such as Navajo, McPhee and Sanchez reserviors.  Colorado depends on coal fired plants for approximately 70% of its electricity (http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Colorado_and_coal).

Individuals wishing to do their part in containing mercury pollution are advised to recycle compact fluorescent light bulbs where these programs are available, such as at Ace and True Value Hardware stores (http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/release/2008/04212008.html).