Mass. senator blasts new pollution rules

[cestpaspossible]

Senator John Kerry calls it one of the weakest sets of pollution rules ever written for a major industry.
He's blasting the Bush administration over new regulations to aimed at cutting mercury pollution from coal-burning power plants.
The Environmental Protection Agency is using an industry-favored ``cap-and-trade'' approach. It sets a maximum on how much mercury emissions should be allowed, but allows companies to increase pollution by purchasing unused credits from others.
Supporters say the new rules will help protect fetuses and young children from mercury, a toxic metal known to cause neurological damage.
But Kerry accuses the administration of putting big corporate interests ahead of children and the public interest.
Massachusetts has already imposed more stringent rules requiring a 95 percent reduction in emissions from coal-powered plants in the state by 2012.

http://news.bostonherald.com/politics/view.bg?articleid=73456

It's great that Mass has instituted more stringent rules, but it's too bad they can't make everyone upwind of them do the same.

[Trillo]

1. Why aren't these "credits" purchased from "the people"?

Oh, right, welfare only for the wealthy. "Ownership" only for the well-to-do.

[whistle]

2. More mercury for our kids and people to develop debilitating

...illnesses

[Massacure]

3. What is wrong with a credit trade?

If you get 1 pound of mercury from 1 unit of power, and the U.S. uses 1000 units of power, then 1000 lbs of mercury are released. However if you sell only 800 lbs of mercury credits, why is forcing power plants to reduce mercury by 20% more effective?