WASHINGTON — Political appointees in the Environmental Protection Agency bypassed the agency's professional staff and a federal advisory panel last year to craft a rule on mercury emissions preferred by the industry and the White House, several longtime EPA officials say.
The EPA staff members say they were told not to undertake the normal scientific and economic studies called for under a standing executive order. At the same time, the proposal to regulate mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants was written using key language provided by utility lobbyists.
The Bush administration has said the proposed rule would cut mercury emissions by 70 percent in 15 years. But critics say it would delay reductions in mercury levels for decades at a risk to public health, while saving the power and coal industries billions of dollars.
Studies designed to address such questions are the ones that were not conducted. EPA veterans say they cannot recall another instance when the agency's technical experts were cut out of developing a major regulatory proposal.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2001880929_mercury17.htmlComment: And there is a related story today that reports:New Jersey has issued fish consumption warnings for every body of water in the state as a result of mercury in air pollution that settles into the waters. The element occurs naturally, but its levels are higher because of smokestack emissions from coal-fired power plants, the nation's largest unregulated source of the toxin.
Most people are exposed to mercury by eating mercury-contaminated fish. Scientists say such exposure can lower intelligence and delay mental development in young children or those exposed in the womb.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/national/8205467.htm
Business as usual in this Bush&Co world
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