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Texas power plants tops for mercury emissions

chron.com -- Mercury emissions from power plants remain flat despite the availability of the technology to cut back on the dangerous toxin, according to a report released today by the Environmental Integrity Project.

Texas has five power plants in the top 10 list of worst emitters of mercury, according to the study. Leading the pack: Luminant's Martin Lake power plant in Rusk County, which reported a 4.56 percent increase from 2007 to 2008 (the most recent data available.

...Mercury emissions don't need to be as high as they've been at the nation's power plants, according to the report:

Sorbent injection, which can achieve mercury reductions up to 90 percent from coal-fired power plants, has been proven by more than 30 full scale demonstrations performed by the U.S. Department of Energy, Ele

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Submitted Mar 18, 2010 By: teafortwo

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chemist74 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:12,387 Points:2,179,065 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 10:21:31 AM Ignore chemist74 Report Abuse The sorbant technology captures/concentrates the mercury but it still needs to be disposed of properly. Because of all of the restrictions on the use of mercury in the US, the supply of mercury far exceeds the demand for mercury. The federal govenment may be stuck paying to permanently store the mercury that is being pulled out of large commercial processes like chlorine production because the government will not let them continue to use it in the US and will not let them export it.
gas_too_high Champion Author Columbus Posts:8,195 Points:1,480,990 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 8:51:02 AM Ignore gas_too_high Report Abuse This sorbent injection technique looks promising, but there's not much details about what it actually involves. Does it replace mercury with some different pollutant? Where does the mercury actually go? And Amplion is exactly right about the double standard with safe incandescent bulbs outlawed in favor of mercury-containing compact fluorescents. GTH
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:3,346 Points:757,100 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 8:37:15 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse Hopefully this will be the Lead Story on every T.V. / radio news broadcast, and on the front page of every newspaper in the State of Texas. Everyone should read the comments of teafortwo in the message posted on Mar 18, 2010 12:30:01 AM. If the State Legislature in Texas really means, "Don't mess with Texas", now would be an excellent time for them to step up to the plate.
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:4,249 Points:1,399,510 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 4:06:17 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse CFL LIGHT BULBS also have mercury. Seems to me we have a double standard !!!! OUTLAW FLUORESCENT LIGHTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:15,373 Points:924,275 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 3:30:01 AM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse This is another one of those articles where it helps to actually read the article. This reduction in TOXIC MERCURY can be accomplished for just pennies per customer. But they are not going to bother unless we let them know we insist on it. Are you really willing to trade your health and the health of future generations for just pennies? And Number43 from Lexington? Might I suggest you do a little bit of research on mercury levels in fish and the dietary recommendations that have resulted: especially regarding sensitive individuals and in particular pregnant women because of the KNOWN DETRIMENTAL affects of the toxin on the DEVELOPING fetal BRAIN tissue? Sorry fellas but this is not one of those "ignore it and it will go away" situations. AGAIN, mercury poisoning is one of those problems that is A LOT CHEAPER and EASIER to PREVENT because it is very DIFFICULT and EXPENSIVE TO CLEAN UP. Saturn93 from Salt Lake City brought up an excellent point: "The mercury, along with other emissions, go high into the atmosphere only to fall again on distant cities. " BUT, failed to mention that the TOXIC MERCURY that falls on our OCEANS and WATERWAYS dissolves and thereby enters our food chain. THIS is a very BAD thing and just one more reason to get away from fossil fuels. I can not help but wonder ... what planet some of you are planning to move to after you POISON and TRASH this one? FROM THE ARTICLE: Existing power plants can be retrofitted with sorbent injection with little or no downtime and with a capital cost of between $1 and $3 per megawatt hour. In addition, mercury can be significantly reduced as a "co-benefit" of pollution controls for other key pollutants like particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and ozone-causing nitrogen oxides. Mercury is removed as a co-benefit of controlling these pollutants through the use of fabric filters, sulfur dioxide scrubbers, and selective catalytic reduction.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,148 Points:828,370 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 2:28:58 AM Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse suck the mercury out of the exhaust; and use it in needed productions
cmburnz Rookie Author Michigan Posts:1 Points:345 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 2:24:29 AM Ignore cmburnz Report Abuse Dirtdauber HYEgasCA, What can be fixed?
BobD2009 Champion Author Long Island Posts:4,592 Points:776,785 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 2:19:57 AM Ignore BobD2009 Report Abuse This is a serious problem that should be addressed as soon as possible. Mercury is very dangerous to humans and wild life.
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:10,810 Points:1,252,470 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 2:15:25 AM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse mercury was the god of speed; go for it Texas
EcoVore Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,533 Points:727,150 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 2:13:57 AM Ignore EcoVore Report Abuse Texas needs to upgrade to clean coal fired plants.
RENEGADEGAS Champion Author Missouri Posts:12,075 Points:1,129,130 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 2:04:14 AM Ignore RENEGADEGAS Report Abuse N5EXY...Your right. [Edited by: RENEGADEGAS at 3/18/2010 2:05:49 AM EST]
Pozole Champion Author Portland Posts:6,383 Points:1,129,725 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 2:02:38 AM Ignore Pozole Report Abuse ...N5EXY, you are SO right about the bulbs...most people don't know how to clean them up when broken, nor dispose of them when dead... ...clean up the refinery emitters...how long can we survive with continuation of mercury pollution ?...
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:3,205 Points:1,048,180 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:56:15 AM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse We will really start seeing higher mercury levels when we no longer use Edison's perfectly good light bulb and the cutey curley flourescents hit the landfills and get into the water supply, or, get busted prematurely and all that heavy metal hits the atmosphere. Good news - it might not affect gas prices!!
HA4CNN Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,473 Points:1,101,770 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:55:04 AM Ignore HA4CNN Report Abuse With everybody going green why are they alouded to polute more rather than less.
Saturn93 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:6,577 Points:1,489,925 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:53:25 AM Ignore Saturn93 Report Abuse The mercury, along with other emissions, go high into the atmosphere only to fall again on distant cities.
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,258 Points:1,416,990 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:50:19 AM Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse But it's Texas...every rich man for himself!
Gary65 Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,501 Points:511,655 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:47:47 AM Ignore Gary65 Report Abuse They better fix and fast.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:43,399 Points:1,713,305 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:47:43 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse comprof wrote: >And up gp the electric rates. I think Houston is already about the >higheset in the nation. A number of places are higher.
HYEgasCA All-Star Author Fresno Posts:635 Points:522,200 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:39:18 AM Ignore HYEgasCA Report Abuse it can be fixed.
arinkrat17 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:4,014 Points:870,020 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:38:45 AM Ignore arinkrat17 Report Abuse wheres the watch dog's?
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:4,387 Points:897,355 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:37:56 AM Ignore comprof Report Abuse And up gp the electric rates. I think Houston is already about the higheset in the nation.
benjy Champion Author Chicago Posts:6,864 Points:1,366,565 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:27:39 AM Ignore benjy Report Abuse I agree ILVET .... [Edited by: benjy at 3/18/2010 1:29:38 EST]
RENEGADEGAS Champion Author Missouri Posts:12,075 Points:1,129,130 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:27:01 AM Ignore RENEGADEGAS Report Abuse NHLiveFree...but when nothing happens (which will be the case) will you still be so out of touch with reality?
ILVET Champion Author Illinois Posts:12,504 Points:2,474,370 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:22:59 AM Ignore ILVET Report Abuse If they do fix it the rates will go up
Sody33 Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:15,482 Points:1,814,560 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:16:11 AM Ignore Sody33 Report Abuse Oh splendid, just what everyone needs to glow in the dark!
grouch311 Champion Author Illinois Posts:6,021 Points:1,156,215 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:15:33 AM Ignore grouch311 Report Abuse no excuse for these levels
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:6,304 Points:1,191,830 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:14:27 AM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse I don't trust any left wing wacky porject. They have zero credibility with me. Science mixed with politics is a bad thing.
DirtDauber Champion Author San Antonio Posts:4,420 Points:1,163,325 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:13:00 AM Ignore DirtDauber Report Abuse It can be fixed.
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:8,036 Points:1,541,445 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:12:25 AM Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse ELE = Extinction Level Event. Environmentalists may appreciate this article, but I do not find it worth reading. So, saith the Queen of Hearts ... "Off with their heads!"
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:6,304 Points:1,191,830 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:11:58 AM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse I have heard of people screaming over mercury exposture levels that are much smaller than you get from eating fish yet there is no movement to ban eating fresh fish.
250FORD Champion Author Minnesota Posts:8,265 Points:1,303,335 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:10:56 AM Ignore 250FORD Report Abuse I'll bet theyincreased their power rates to pay for what they haven't bought.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:7,223 Points:1,172,335 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:10:24 AM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse When acid rain and mercury contamination hit your favorite fishing hole, you won't be so flip and arrogant about a serious hazard RENEGADEGAS!
Mooseman1 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:7,301 Points:1,381,745 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:10:00 AM Ignore Mooseman1 Report Abuse We will all suffer in the long run.
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:6,304 Points:1,191,830 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:09:32 AM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse At what levels is it a problem and what are the costs to do this reduction thing?
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:6,068 Points:1,433,070 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:08:09 AM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse This is not suprising at all
jadeusa Champion Author Dallas Posts:6,905 Points:1,372,935 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:07:15 AM Ignore jadeusa Report Abuse Noticed that some plants in Texas had also dropped in the last year. There needs to more investigation on mercury emissions.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:7,223 Points:1,172,335 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:06:25 AM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Scrubbers and sorbent injection should be mandatory on all coal-fired power plants! The damn Ohio coal-fired power plants have caused the most environmental damage to lakes ponds and streams in New Hampshire and much of New England!!! The state of Ohio will not step up and do the right thing to regulate the robber barons that own these polluters.
RENEGADEGAS Champion Author Missouri Posts:12,075 Points:1,129,130 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:06:22 AM Ignore RENEGADEGAS Report Abuse When you see complaints in an article from names like: The Environmental Integrity Project and The U.S. Department of Energy Its pretty much time to blow the article off as rantings from radical left wing extremists and then research the facts.
pbc2001 Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,316 Points:417,405 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 1:04:33 AM Ignore pbc2001 Report Abuse Emissions should decrease as technology improves.
52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:4,914 Points:1,278,480 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2010 12:29:38 AM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse Alternative power sources are better.