Mercury, Lead and Arsenic Oh My

Score one for the Environment today, the Supreme Court has handed a ruling, of sorts, that would allow the EPA to to set up new tighter restrictions of emissions of mercury, lead, arsenic and other pollutants that are put out by our nations coal-burning power plants. The rule was actual a denial of an appeal of a lower courts decision on a case presented by Environmental groups, Indian tribes and several states that pretty much said that it wasn't right for the Bush administration to set up different regulations for Coal-burning power plants and that they should also be subject to the Clean Air Act. This is a huge win because the pollutants that are produced by these power plants can be quiet dangerous once they get into the environment.

Coal-fired plants produce about half the nation’s electricity, but they are a major source not just of heat-trapping gases but of pollution as well. Mercury is a particular concern. While airborne concentrations are usually low, when mercury falls to earth it enters streams, rivers and estuaries and can accumulate in the form of methyl mercury in the flesh of fish.

which means the plants will be in operation for a long time, on average some where between 30 and 50 years, and with out proper regulations that can account for a large amount of pollutants. Of course the Obama administration won't necessarily be able to any great changes because the environment is a tight rope issue which means that you can't go too far in any one direction cause you might fall but if you stay still too long you will still fall. SO you need to balance both sides while still making forward progression in order to succeed.