Archives: Rules

In May 2002, New Hampshire became the first state in the country to adopt rules to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants. The new law establishes a multiple pollutant reduction program. In addition to CO2, the final version of the new law (HB284, NH Laws of 2002, Chapter 130) establishes caps on emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides by existing fossil fuel electric power plants and also requires a reduction in mercury pollution. This law permits the banking and trading of emissions reductions credits to achieve compliance with the caps. The NH Department of Environmental Services is directed to establish an integrated strategy to reduce emissions, including the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy. The new law went into effect July 1, 2002.… Read More

Under a compromise agreement, legislation was passed into law in May 2006 that requires Minnesota’s largest coal-fired power plants to cut mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2015.  Utilitieswere brought on board by allowing immediate recovery from ratepayers the cost of installing the necessary pollution control equipment.

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On January 5, 2006, Illinois Governor Blagojevich proposed a strong set of mercury pollution control standards. The proposal would require coal plant owners to install modern pollution control equipment to reduce mercury pollution by 90 percent or more by June 30, 2009.  Unlikeother state mercury reduction efforts that involved some sort of legislative catalyst, the Illinois effort appears to be an executive directive from the Governor to the Illinois Pollution Control Board(PCB) to establish agressive mercury reduction rules for power plants.

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In March 2003, environmental organizations including Clean Water Action, the Connecticut Coalition for Clean Air, and the Clean Air Task Force along with electric utility PSEG Power Connecticut (owner of the 375-megawatt Bridgeport Harbor coal-fired power plant) issued a joint recommendation to the Connecticut General Assembly for legislation establishing stringent new mercury emission standards for the state’s coal-fired power plants. The legislation sets a national precedent for controlling power plant mercury emissions.… Read More

Vermont’s mercury labeling law is a nice example of how one state’s action can lead to nationwide changes. Vermont legislation enacted in 1998, required manufacturers to label certain mercury-added products sold or distributed in Vermont to inform consumers of mercury content and proper disposal. There was no threshold on the amount of mercury a product must have in order meet labeling requirements.… Read More

Maine has passed a handful of laws in recent years designed to prevent mercury pollution from a variety of sources including consumer products such as thermostats, cell phones and vehicles. The efforts in Maine can be a model for other states. In Maine, overall mercury emissions to the air have dropped by more than 75% from their peak in 1991, with reductions by municipal waste incinerators leading the way.

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San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance on May 8, 2000 banning the sale, import and manufacture of mercury thermometers (both fever and weather) within San Francisco’s city and county limits. San Francisco was the first county in the nation to enact such a ban. Duluth, Minn. was the first city in the nation to ban the retail sale of mercury fever thermometers.… Read More

On March 6, 2000, the city of Duluth adopted the nation’s first-ever ban on the sale of mercury fever and basal (used by women)thermometers. The purpose of this ordinance is to help eliminate mercury from the waste stream.  An earlier Minnesota law (M.S. Section 116.92, subd. 7) prohibits medical facilities from routinely distributing mercury thermometers. Another state law (M.S. Section 115A.932) prohibits depositing them in solid waste.

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On July 10, 2000, the City Council of Ann Arbor, Michigan, approved a new Ordinance to addChapter 69 Mercury Thermometers (Ordinance No. 31-00) to the city code – effective as of July 26, 2000.  Thenew ordinance bans the retail sale, importation and manufacture of mercury fever thermometers within the city limits. Ann Arbor becomes the first city in Michigan and the second in the Great Lakes basin to enact such an ordinance. The city of Duluth, Minn. and the City and county of San Francisco passed similar measures earlier in 2000.

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