New Mercury & Air Toxics Standards For Power Plants

In response to a court mandated deadline, the U.S. EPA proposed national standards for mercury, arsenic and other air toxics from power plants. The new Power Plant Mercury and Air Toxics Standards will require many power plants to install widely available, proven pollution control technologies to cut emissions of mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel and acid gases.

Power plants are the largest remaining source of several toxic air pollutants and are responsible for half of mercury and over half of acid gas emissions in the US. Within the power sector, coal-fired power plants are responsible for 99 % of mercury emissions. According to EPA, currently more than half of all coal-fired power plants already use control technologies that allow them to meet these important standards.

The public comment period will extend 60 days from posting to the Federal Register. EPA also expects to hold public hearings on this proposed rule.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Michigan Great Lakes Restoration Grants

Nearly $2 million in federal grants will be given to five Michigan organizations by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. A total of 99 grants for an estimated $63 million are expected to be awarded in Michigan.

The five grants are:


•Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, $856,046 for implementing state and regional mercury control and prevention strategies to help shield pregnant women, children and subsistence populations from the toxic effects of mercury.
•Saginaw Bay/Lake Huron Land Policy Project, Michigan State University, $399,287 for technical assistance to local governments and land owners to implement land use planning, protection and restoration strategies.
•Michigan State University, $65,001 for a project to improve forecasting of beach and nearshore health effects, and protect public health by informing people when beach water is clean enough for swimming.
•Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, $295,000 for development of a sustainable hazardous waste collection program to serve tribal and non-tribal community members in Baraga County, and help prevent toxic contaminants from entering Lake Superior.
•Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa, $196,148 to improve habitat and water quality in the Bear River Watershed, which directly affects waters flowing into Little Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Great Lakes Mercury Emission Reduction Strategy - Priority Sources

In 2008, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) Executive Committee directed that a Great Lakes Mercury Emission Reduction Strategy be developed with a goal of producing institutionalized activities to sustain mercury emission reductions from unregulated sources, and regulated sources with potential for additional reduction. The strategy would produce recommendations or options for actions to be taken by States. A workgroup was formed in April 2008 to develop the Strategy.

In November 2008, the work group released several draft documents which will be part of the overall Draft Mercury Emission Reduction Strategy Report. A key document out for review is the draft listing of priority source sectors to be addressed. The priority source sectors are:

• Utility boilers
• Metals production
• Waste incineration
• Cement production
• Non-utility fuel combustion
• Mercury cell chlor-alkali plants
• Mercury emission related to product use and disposal

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
or
Caltha LLP Website

Mercury Export Ban Act - Additional Restrictions on Mercury

In October 2008, the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008 was signed into law. The Act amendments the existing Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Act, sponsored by Senator Barack Obama, places controls on the use, export and storage of elemental mercury. Key elements of the Act are:

PROHIBITION ON SALE, DISTRIBUTION, OR TRANSFER OF ELEMENTAL MERCURY BY FEDERAL AGENCIES. Beginning in October 2008, no Federal agency can convey, sell, or distribute to any other Federal , State or local government agency, or any private individual or entity any elemental mercury.

PROHIBITION ON EXPORT OF ELEMENTAL MERCURY. Effective in 2013, the export of elemental mercury will be banned. This part also requires that a report be made to Congress by October 2009 that summarizes the current and projected production, uses and export of mercury from the US. This part also offers case-by-case exemptions for "essential uses" of mercury for which suitable alternatives are not available.

LONG-TERM STORAGE. The Mercury Export Ban Act also requires that the Federal government create by 2013 storage facilities for mercury wastes generated in the US.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
or
Caltha LLP Website