New Report: Indiana, Kentucky Power Plants Emit 5th and 6th Most Toxic Mercury Pollution in the Nation

New Report: Indiana, Kentucky Power Plants Emit 5th and 6th Most Toxic Mercury Pollution in the Nation

Louisville, KY –  Kentucky and Indiana are the 5th and 6th most mercury-polluted states in the nation, according to a new Environment America report released today, “Dirty Energy’s Assault on our Health: Mercury.” The analysis shows that coal-fired power plants in Indiana emitted 6,048 pounds of toxic mercury pollution in the year 2009, while coal-fired plants in Kentucky emitted 5,930 pounds of mercury in 2009. 

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that puts pregnant women at-risk for birth defects in their children including learning disabilities, developmental disorders, and lower IQs.   One in six American women has mercury levels in her blood high enough to put her baby at risk, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

“Powering our homes should not poison Kentucky’s and Indiana’s kids,” said Thomas Pearce, Sierra Club organizer. “This report shows that toxic mercury pollution from coal plants has reached unacceptable levels.” 

The Environment America report found that 11 electric utilities in Kentucky and Indiana rank in the nation’s top 100 emitters of toxic mercury.  The worst offender in Indiana was the American Electric Power Rockport Plant in Rockport, which emitted 1,226 pounds of mercury in 2009; while the worst offender in Kentucky was the Spurlock Power Station in Maysville, which emitted 921 pounds of mercury in 2009.  Other plants in the worst 100 included the LG&E Mill Creek Station in Louisville, KY; IPL Petersburg station in Petersburg, IN; Big Rivers II in Robarbs, KY; Merom Generating Station in Sullivan, IN; Nipso RMShahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield, IN; AEP Big Sandy in Louisa, KY; Kentucky Utilities Co. Station in Ghent, KY; Clifty Creek Station in Madison, IN; and Duke Energy Gibson Generating Station in Owensville, IN. 

“Toxic mercury from the Mill Creek and Cane Run power plants are making us sick,” said Kathy Little of Louisville, KY.  “Kentuckiana parents need the Environmental Protection Agency to do its job,  and protect our children’s health. 

Mercury pollution is emitted into the air from coal-fired power plants, then falls into waterways from rain or snow.  Mercury is then known to build up in fish then the animals—and people—that consume the fish, putting them at risk for reproductive failure and mortality.  Studies suggest that even a gram-sized drop of mercury can contaminate an entire 20 acre lake.  On the border of Kentucky and Indiana, the Ohio River is threatened with mercury pollution. 
The report comes as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is set to propose a new standard to limit mercury and other toxic air pollution from power plants, in March.  Grassroots environmental groups including Environment America and the Sierra Club are calling on the EPA to issue strong health protections that will reduce toxic mercury emissions from power plants by more than 90%.  

http://www.environmentamerica.org/home/reports/report-archives/global-warming-solutions/global-warming-solutions/dirty-energys-assault-on-our-health-mercury