The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to cut emissions from gold ore processing and production facilities, the sixth largest source of mercury air emissions in the country.
EPA’s proposal would reduce annual mercury emissions to about 1,390
pounds a year–a 73% reduction from 2007 levels. This action
will build on reductions from Nevada’s successful program for
controlling mercury emissions from precious metal mining.
Mercury is a toxic substance, which can damage children’s developing brains and nervous systems, even before they are born.
There are about 20 facilities in the United States that extract gold from ore that would be subject to the proposed rule. Some facilities in Nevada already are making significant progress toward the proposed reductions under that state’s program.
Mercury emitted to the air eventually settles in water, where it can change into methylmercury, which builds up in ocean and freshwater fish and can be highly toxic to humans who eat the fish–sometimes leading to fish consumption advisories to protect public health.
EPA will take public comment on the proposed rule for 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
In Related News…
The EPA also announced that it has selected $78.9 million in brownfields grants to communities in 40 states, four tribes, and one U.S. Territory. This funding will be used for the assessment, cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields properties, including abandoned gas stations, old textile mills, closed smelters, and other abandoned industrial and commercial properties.
The brownfields program encourages redevelopment of America’s estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites.
Since the beginning of the brownfields program in 1995, EPA has awarded 1,702 assessment grants totaling $401 million, 262 revolving loan fund grants totaling more than $256.7 million, and 655 cleanup grants totaling $129.4 million. As part of Administrator Jackson’s commitment to this program, the 2011 proposed budget includes an increase of $215 million for brownfields with a focus on planning, cleanup, job training and redevelopment.
More information is available at the link below.
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