Colorado’s coal-burning power plants must cut their emissions of toxic mercury 90 percent by 2018, according to an agreement submitted to the state health department Friday.
Two of the largest units – the Pawnee plant near Brush and the Rawhide plant near Fort Collins – must reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2012.
The other plants will have until 2014 to make an 80 percent cut.
There are currently 25 coal-burning units operating or being built in the state.
All the units and any new ones will have to reach the 90 percent cut in the next 11 years.
Emissions are reduced through the installation of pollution-control devices.
The plan will be voted on by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission on Tuesday.
It is the first time the commission has considered placing limits on mercury released by coal-fired plants.
The deal was hammered out by power companies, environmental groups and local governments.
“This is a momentous achievement for human health and the environment in Colorado,” said Vickie Patton, a Boulder-based attorney for Environmental Defense.
“The result is landmark for Colorado because it will reduce a toxic air pollutant,” she said. “It’s also a big step forward in people working together in ways they haven’t worked together for many years.”
Federal studies estimate about 40 percent of the mercury in the environment comes from power plants.
Very young children are more sensitive to mercury than adults, and an expectant mother can pass it to her fetus.
It also can pass to a nursing infant through breast milk. In adults, mercury can damage the brain and kidneys.
All states are facing a mandate by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to come up with a plan to reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
Under the Bush administration rule, plants must cut their emissions by 70 percent on average by 2018.
The federal program limits Colorado’s emissions to 558 pounds a year in 2018. Wyoming’s limit will be 752 pounds a year, and New Mexico’s will be 236 pounds.
The federal rule includes a “cap and trade” provision enabling companies to buy and sell mercury allowances to allow them wiggle room to fall under compliance.
Colorado’s new plan will give each plant a mercury allowance. The plan won’t allow companies to sell their mercury allowances.
Companies will have the option to buy additional allowances from the state, if they are available, or from plants outside Colorado, said Paul Tourangeau, director of the air pollution control division.
“This is really positive for Colorado,” Tourangeau said. “This is a significant step to remove mercury from the environment in Colorado.”
Staff writer Jeremy P. Meyer may be reached at 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
