Environment Illinois celebrated a major victory this fall with the state’s Dec. 12 adoption of a rule that will dramatically reduce mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants.

Rejecting a weak federal rule that would have allowed another generation of children to be exposed to dangerous levels of toxic mercury, Illinois will require coal-fired power plants in the state to install, by 2009, technology that will capture 90 percent of mercury pollution before it leaves their smokestacks.

“The Illinois mercury rule will do what federal regulators wouldn’t: put children’s health first,” said Max Muller, environmental advocate at Environment Illinois. “This rule makes it clear that risking the health of our children is not an acceptable cost of doing business in Illinois.”

Environment Illinois staff advocated these crucial reductions for two years. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that puts developing fetuses and children at risk of developmental delays, memory and attention difficulties and decreased IQ.

Broad Public Support Makes The Difference

Illinois’ 21 coal-fired power plants emit 71 percent of in-state mercury pollution. Unfortunately, for years, the owners of Illinois’ coal plants were united in their determination to avoid investing in mercury control technology, and it took broad public support to counter their lobbyists in Springfield.

To build that support, Environment Illinois waged a vigorous media campaign, briefed policy makers throughout 2006, and researched and wrote two reports documenting the severity of mercury contamination in Illinois sport fish and tuna sushi in Chicago-area restaurants. Environment Illinois also thanks its members for their support. On May 8 we delivered 5,900 postcards and letters from members and supporters to the Illinois Pollution Control Board, which received more public comments on this rule than any other in memory.

“That’s how we won,” said Muller. “Maintaining public pressure was the key. When the power plant owners realized we would win, it became in their interest to quit stonewalling and come to the table to negotiate constructively. We showed them that they can and must clean up their mercury pollution.”