February 11, 2008

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today praised the District of Columbia Circuit, United States Court of Appeals ruling in State of New Jersey et al., -v- Environmental Protection Agency that overturned a controversial plan from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency that would have failed to protect Michigan's citizens from the dangers posed by mercury emissions.

"The court correctly ruled that EPA's delisting of mercury as a hazardous air pollutant was unlawful," said Director Chester. "The EPA's proposed rule would have fallen far short of the measures needed to protect the health of Michigan's families."

Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury in the United States. Mercury from power plants settles in waterways and accumulates in fish. The Michigan Department of Community Health has a special health advisory in place for all inland lakes in Michigan due to mercury contamination. Mercury is known to cause neurological and developmental problems, particularly in fetuses.

The DEQ had joined fourteen other states in challenging the proposed mercury rule in court and is currently developing a rule to reduce Mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2015 from Michigan's coal-fired power plants.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised February 11, 2008 by Pat Watson