The group Environment Iowa Wednesday called on Iowans to push their senators to back a new standard by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that would limit mercury and other toxic air pollution from power plants. Environment Iowa spokesperson, Jessica Buchberger, says plants in Iowa are releasing mercury and it’s an issue that’s important to the health of Iowans and their kids.
Buchberger says there are 2,735 pounds of mercury emitted each year, and she says to put that in context, a gram size drop of mercury can contaminate an entire 20-acre lake. Buchberger says there is strong opposition from the power industry.
She says congressional lobbyists are working to prevent the E-P-A from doing its job by threatening to block these rules and others that would limit air pollution. “Iowa’s parents do everything they can to protect their children’s health and now it’s time for the E-P-A to do its part,” Buchberger says. Buchberger says they are talking to Iowa lawmakers about the rules.
Buchberger says Senators Grassley and Harkin “should stand up for families and support the E-P-A in this new ruling.” The E-P-A is scheduled to take action on the rules in March.