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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Matthew
Maciorkoski |
State Rep. Camille “Bud”
George |
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Jan. 30, 2007, Letter to Clearfield Progress
Dear Editor:
The recent stories concerning mercury regulations ignore the underhanded politics that have led to rules that jeopardize public health.
Scientists are finding mercury “hot spots” near coal-fired electric plants, despite the blather from Bush administration political appointees who bypassed professional staff to issue the utility-written, “cap-and-trade” rules.
EPA’s mercury rules are crumbling beneath scientific evidence and common sense. In Washington, a Republican senator has introduced legislation that would reduce mercury emissions by 90 percent.
Doing what is right will not be the “death blow to the local coal industry.” Responsible regulations will save the industry, requiring investment in plants such as Shawville so Pennsylvania coal can be burned.
The coal and utility industries have a history of shooting themselves in the foot. I had to fight a coal baron’s bid to lower tariffs that would have made it unfeasible to use local coal at in-state plants.
Penelec was rebuffed recently trying to win a $157 million rate increase because of higher energy costs. Yet Penelec’s parent company, GPU, willingly sold its power plants in return for $11.3 billion before being sold to Ohio-based FirstEnergy as part of the deregulation dementia.
Meanwhile, massive rate increases loom as the rate caps FirstEnergy and Penelec have been trying to scuttle will expire in less than four years.
Pennsylvania’s Constitution guarantees citizens the right to pure water, yet we are warned to eat no more than one meal a week of bass, walleye or trout because of mercury poisoning.
The regulations I support are backed by most Pennsylvanians, including statewide groups such as the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Nurses Association, Parent Teachers Association, and Council of Churches.
It would be tragic to trade the long-term health and economic viability of Clearfield County for a deception that promises to harm our citizens today and tomorrow.
State Rep. Camille “Bud” George
D-74 of Clearfield County