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Presentations May 23 – 25, 2005 Portland, Maine

Presentations May 23 – 25, 2005 Portland, Maine For related information visit: http://www.newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/conferences. Quicksilver Caucus: Leadership from the States.

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Presentations May 23 – 25, 2005 Portland, Maine

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  1. Presentations May 23 – 25, 2005 Portland, Maine For related information visit: http://www.newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/conferences

  2. Quicksilver Caucus: Leadership from the States Arleen O’Donnell Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Planning Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

  3. The Quicksilver Caucus • A coalition of state environmental association leaders • Members • ASDWA • ASIWPCA • ASTSWMO • ECOS • NPPR • STAPPA/ALAPCO

  4. Quicksilver Caucus Perspective • Mercury is a multi-media environmental problem that requires holistic solutions • Common ground needs to be built for addressing mercury in the environment • Mercury is a serious national issue and a priority to many states • >600,000 newborns each year at risk • Health impacts alone of $2.2.- $44.0 billion/ year • Fish consumption advisories in 45 states/ nationally • State leadership on many issues

  5. State Leadership on Mercury • 45 states sufficiently concerned to complete a lengthy QSC survey on state mercury activities • 16 states have action plans addressing mercury; 6 more have plans to or an interest in developing one. • Many states addressing the problem regionally and cooperatively: • NEG-ECP Mercury Action Plan • Great Lakes Bi-national Strategy • Interstate Mercury Education and Reduction Clearinghouse

  6. Examples of State Leadership on Mercury • Air Emissions: Many states have adopted regulations on mercury sources much more stringent than required by EPA: • Trash Incinerators: typically 3-fold more stringent (e.g. all NE states; NJ; MN) • Coal-fired utilities: e.g. MA, CT require much steeper reductions than EPA • Medical waste incinerators: 10+- fold more stringent (e.g. NE states, NJ)

  7. More Examples of State Leadership on Mercury • Mercury-added Products • Batteries: Federal legislation in 1996 was preceded by legislative action in 13 states • Switches, relays and other products: Labeling, phase-outs and take-back provisions now in force in many states across the US. No federal action. • Dental sector: Many states/municipalities now require amalgam separators. No federal requirements.

  8. New England Governors/ E. Canadian Premiers Mercury Action Plan: An Example of Multi-state Cooperation: • Binational plan addressing mercury pollution. Unanimously adopted in 1998 by Governors and Premiers. All NE states/E. Canadian Provinces • Goals • 2003: 50% reduction from regional sources • 2010: 75% reduction • Long-term: virtual elimination • By 2003: 54% reduction achieved regionally; about 70% in MA

  9. Mercury Reductions in New England and E. Canadian Provinces

  10. Formation of the QSC • Individual state and regional actions • ECOS resolution - 1996 • ECOS mercury workshop - 2000 • Policy framework - 2001 • Compendium of State Mercury Activities - 2001 • Formation of the Quicksilver Caucus

  11. Early Activities: 2001 • ECOS resolutions • Mercury retirement and stockpiling • Need for articulation of a national vision for mercury • On multi-pollutant strategies for the control of air pollution • Need for better approaches than TMDLs to address fish consumption advisories due to deposition of mercury. • Letter to DOD about EIS related to mercury storage • Letter to EPA about national strategy

  12. Early Activities: 2002-2003 Partnered with EPA on • TMDLs: need for alternatives, flexibility and a national mercury reduction strategy • Resolution: The Need for a National Mercury Reduction Strategy as an Option for Atmospheric Mercury Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) • Stewardship: formal comments on DOD EIS; completion of reports addressing: • Storage of Mercury • Best Management Practices • Mercury Commodity Review • Market Policy Options

  13. Early Activities: 2002-2003 • EPA’s National Mercury Action Plan: states advocated for comprehensive national plan • International efforts: UNEP Mercury Programme • Involved in UNEP Conference • Second Mercury Workshop

  14. Current Activities 2004-2005 • Four priority areas: • Multi-media and alternative approaches for mercury-based TMDLs • Stewardship • Safe disposal of mercury wastes • Decrease the global supply and demand for mercury

  15. Current Activities 2004-2005 • Compendium of State Mercury Activities • Survey of states – 45 responded • Create compendium based on responses • TMDLs and Air Emissions • Alternative TMDL proposals • ECOS resolution on mercury emissions rule • Vehicle switches • EPA-sponsored stakeholder group • ECOS resolution • Report- Mercury Switches: Information and Options for States

  16. Current Activities 2004-2005 • National Strategy/Roadmap • International work • UNEP meeting • EPA partnerships • Stewardship

  17. The Future – What Next? • Finish Toolbox for states • Action plan guidance • Product labeling information and guidance • Vehicle switch programs • Technical workshops • International: state success as examples for global action • Third mercury workshop

  18. More Information • Information on the Quicksilver Caucus and ECOS resolutions can be found at www.ecos.org

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