EPA chief decries

EPA chief decries 'fiction' over mercury-control technology

Washington (Platts)--30Aug2004


While acknowledging it is possible to cut mercury emissions 90% given existing
technology, the US Environmental Protection Agency chief Monday said such
successes have been rare and could not be replicated across the country, at
least for now. EPA is mulling two proposals to reduce utility mercury
emissions and plans to issue a final rule by March. At an industry conference,
Administrator Michael Leavitt said the idea that there is existing technology
available and "widely distributable" is one of a "group of fictions" being
circulated. He reiterated comments he made earlier this month that in
considering how to slash mercury, EPA will be guided by health concerns and
the need to keep coal economically viable. EPA prefers its cap-and-trade
proposal, which would cap emissions at 15 tons per year by 2018, a 70%
reduction from the 48 tons generated today, to one that would require
utilities to install "maximum achievable control technology" by 2008.

A group of technology manufacturers in July said currently available controls
could bring mercury emissions down to 14 tons by 2010. Utilities have
complained that the 15-ton goal is not achievable by 2018. "We want to turn
the ship, but not swamp the boat," Leavitt said in describing EPA's intent to
encourage use of emissions-control technology while not hurting any coal type.
"One of the worries" with a MACT approach, he said, is that it will not
encourage utilities to clean up plants. He said the EPA rule would allow coal,
responsible for half of US electricity generation, to remain a "vital part of
our energy mix." Leavitt told the conference it was time to "narrow and
conclude" the mercury debate, which began after more than 10 years ago.

This story was first published in Platts real-time news and market reporting
service Platts Electricity Alert (http://electricityalert.platts.com ).

Please visit: www.platts.com

Their coverage of energy matters is extensive!!.