New Proposed National Standards Will Save Lives and Create Jobs

For the first time ever, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed national standards for mercury, arsenic and other toxic air pollution from power plants this week.  The new standards would require many power plants to install pollution control technologies on their stacks to cut emissions of mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel and acid gases.

When enacted, these standards will prevent as many as 17,000 premature deaths and 11,000 heart attacks a year and will particularly benefit children, preventing 120,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms and about 11,000 cases of acute bronchitis among children each year.

Kentucky has 21 power plants located in the state and 22 within 30 miles of our borders. Our in-state plants are, on average, about 40 years old and many lack even basic air quality protections. This means Kentuckians are exposed to - through breathing, eating and drinking - potentially high amounts of these air toxins, especially mercury. Every river and lake in Kentucky is under advisory for mercury contamination. Kentuckians also face one of the highest risks in the country of dying from exposure to coal-burning power plant air pollution.

EPA estimates that instituting these new rules will provide employment for thousands, by supporting 31,000 short-term construction jobs and 9,000 long-term utility jobs. Check KFTC's blog for additional information about how to comment on this rule and where public hearings will be held.

To read the press release about the standards from the EPA in full, click here.