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State Representative Patti Fritz
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8237
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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MERCURY REDUCTION BILL OFFERS SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
St. Paul, MN - State Representative Patti Fritz (DFL - Faribault) said the passage of the Mercury Reduction Bill on Monday moves Minnesota to the forefront with regards to protecting our environment from dangerous mercury contaminants.
"Once again, we are demonstrating our commitment to protecting our environment and our way of life by moving ahead of the Federal requirements regarding mercury emissions," said Fritz.
This bill will reduce mercury emissions from the largest coal-fired plants in the state by 90%, resulting in 1200 pounds a year of mercury being removed from our environment - approximately one-third of the total emissions in the state.
Some of the mercury controls will be in place by 2010 and the rest by 2014. The Federal requirement is for a 70% reduction by 2018. The state plans also calls for a review and approval of the proposal by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to "protect ratepayer interest".
According to Fritz, if mercury emissions were cut by 90% in every coal-fired plant in the state, the cost to consumers would be between 55 cents and $1.55 per person, per electric bill. Since this legislation only applies to the three largest utilities, the actual cost should be less.
"This legislation will move us back toward the days when we could safely drink our water, eat the fish we catch in our lakes and breathe cleaner air," said Fritz.
The bill received unanimous bipartisan support in the House and will now move to the Conference Committee.
News Items
- STATE REP. PATTI FRITZ PARTICIPATES IN START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:32PM)
- Rep. Fritz: Homeowners, Farmers Need Property Tax Relief - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- Rep. Fritz: Let’s Vote on a Bonding Bill that Benefits All - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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