Mercury Emissions Rules Bent to Benefit Industry, Officials Say

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mercury16mar16,1,5139740.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Political appointees in the Environmental Protection Agency bypassed agency professional staff and a federal advisory panel last year to craft a rule on mercury emissions preferred by the industry and the White House, several longtime EPA officials say.

The EPA staffers say they were told not to undertake the normal scientific and economic studies called for under a standing executive order. At the same time, the proposal to regulate mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants was written using key language provided by utility lobbyists.

The Bush administration has said that the proposed rule would cut mercury emissions by 70 percent in the next 15 years, and is tied to the president's "Clear Skies" initiative. But critics say it would delay reductions in mercury levels for decades at a risk to public health, while saving the power and coal industries billions of dollars.

Studies designed to address such questions are the ones that were not conducted.

EPA veterans say they cannot recall another instance when the agency's technical experts were cut out of developing a major regulatory proposal.

[burrowowl]

1. Surprise!

I am not surprised, the environmental damage done by the Maladministration is going to take years to undo.

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. Exactly what Dean had been saying

on his stump speech.

[pfitz59]

3. Political appointees bypassing veteran staffers.......

Nah, must be BAD science!

[DeepModem Mom]

4. So many outrages -- it's overwhelming --

Bush should be polling below 10% --

[pmbryant]

5. Once upon a time, this kind of thing would have been a huge scandal

Sad and disgusting that the Bushies have allowed this kind of corrupt, unethical, irreponsible behavior to become "acceptable" in DC.

:grr:

--Peter

[Beetwasher]

6. They're Not Even Trying to Appear Reasonable Anymore

They don't care to even try to hide what they're doing.

[pmbryant]

7. They *are* trying to hide this

This is only coming out because 5 heroic EPA employees are speaking out (anonymously, of course).

--Peter

[tlcandie]

8. Watch out .. anonymous is only to be used by this cabal and noone else!

Look at what they are trying to do to Kerry because he won't disclose the leaders who would like to see * out of office!

The only anonymous they will allow is anything regarding their under-handed, dirty dealings!!

[Donkeyboy75]

9. Kerry needs to HAMMER Bush on this

He needs to make the environment a BIG issue, and use specifics. This is a clear area where he can differentiate himself from the *ies. I fear that votes may go to Nader (maybe even mine, but I doubt it) if Kerry doesn't raise a stink about stuff like this.

[Ravy]

10. Where is Bush*co going with this????

And why are they in that hand basket????

[Robbien]

11. New Jersery issued a health warning today on mercury in fish

New Jersey has issued fish consumption warnings for every body of water in the state as a result of mercury in air pollution that settles into the waters. The element occurs naturally, but its levels are higher because of smokestack emissions from coal-fired power plants, the nation's largest unregulated source of the toxin.

Most people are exposed to mercury by eating mercury-contaminated fish. Scientists say such exposure can lower intelligence and delay mental development in young children or those exposed in the womb.

Bush&Co said they would look into it. Ha! Don't hold your breath waiting for a reasonable revision to the EPA standards.