EPA Boiler Regulations: Senate Fails To Stall New Pollution Rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — An attempt to stall environmental curbs on toxic boiler emissions has failed in the Senate.

The bipartisan measure failed 52-46 Thursday, falling short of the 60 votes needed to pass. It would have forced the Environmental Protection Agency to rewrite a rule requiring boiler operators to install modern emissions controls. Boilers are the second-largest source of toxic mercury emissions after coal-fired power plants.

The vote showed the Democrat-controlled Senate's resistance to limiting the EPA, even on a regulation that covers more than 200,000 large industrial boilers used in different industries. Seven Democrats and one independent sided with all but one Republican in favor of the stalling measure.

The EPA had sought more time to draft the rule, to replace one thrown out in 2007, but the court denied its request.

Comments

[rsticks18]

02:19 PM on 03/09/2012

anybody know how much of a difference what i bet were very expensive changes were going to mean?

[bdaved]

12:09 PM on 03/10/2012

http://www.epa.gov/airquality/combustion/docs/20111202presentation.pdf

On page 3, under "Health Benefits" you can see:
"Together, the standards will avoid up to 8,100 premature deaths, 5,100 heart attacks, and 52,000 cases of aggravated asthma.
EPA estimates that Americans would receive $12 to $30 in health benefits for every dollar spent to meet the proposed standards."

[pbgardenpet]

11:48 AM on 03/09/2012

They need to close the EPA.

[hgoodguy]

12:09 PM on 03/09/2012

Hope your children enjoy choking on dirty air in the future!

[pbgardenpet]

06:21 PM on 03/09/2012

Not where I live.

[adamben]

03:26 PM on 03/09/2012

can we put a toxic dump in your backyard? better yours than mine.

[pbgardenpet]

06:22 PM on 03/09/2012

You can put one in my county. They are cleaner than your house.

[Canefighter]

11:32 AM on 03/09/2012

If they can change the Boilers over to Natural Gas. That would be the cheapest way to lower emissions other then Nuke power which would be just to expensive and may not be possible in most of the locations.

[dan101t]

11:19 AM on 03/09/2012

I have to wonder how any of us over the age of 60 survived. Here we are fighting over trace amounts of some toxin from a factory.
Kids from the 30’s, 40’s and earlier grew up at a time when every house and building and school had a coal fired furnace for heat, and burned coal all year for cooking. We had lead water pipes in the house, and our cribs were painted with lead based paint. and we burned leaves in the fall.

[adamben]

03:26 PM on 03/09/2012

that explains your post.

[dan101t]

04:46 PM on 03/09/2012

Yes and my generation figured out how to go to the moon and back, several times. Your generation knows how to text on a system we built.

[stopgov]

10:33 AM on 03/09/2012

Mercury, you can't reliably measure it, monitor it, or control it. The devices a looking for parts per BILLION. That's 1 part per 1,000,000,000 parts. During the past three years, many plants have closed and people lost their jobs. Numerous plants are scheduled to shut down before the regulations take full effect. Enjoy your higher electric prices. BTW, where are all the so-called deaths from these mercury emissions? People always ask for facts, well I'd like to see some evidence, other than the sky is falling, to support the claims.

The good news, since there is no real pollution control equipment for mercury, Utilities must install Scrubbers (SO2) and SCR's (NOx) on the boilers and hope they collect the mercury they can't measure or monitor reliably.

You release approximately 20 mg of mercury when you drop a fluorescent light bulb which is much more concentrated than any power station release. Can't wait for the mercury to leach out from the landfills and contaminate your water. When you break one in your house, you should wear a hazmat suit to clean it up.

[DeManted101]

01:11 PM on 03/09/2012

O-I-C...You can't reliably measure ANYTHING, that contains stupid. Show me the verified stats and the agency responsible for obtaining those facts but, PLEASE, not from some KOCH funded institute ! Like the stooge who posted how wonderful it was to grow up in the 50's with all the wonderful pollutants no one knew were responsible for long term illnesses such as cancer or that lead emissions from cars was nothing less than lead poisoning for the masses or the long term effects of ANY freaking heavy metal that's introduced into your food, water or air...you know the environment we all share ?? I suppose some will propose these were all good things that contributed to our longevity and ignore medical advances or better controls put in place to eliminate and regulate the permissible levels we can safely tolerate.
Heck, let's not try to keep our corner of the world livable, let's all make money for the companies based in Ireland, Germany or Italy, they'll help us live more comfortably with our super-fund communities and the Chinese will be satisfied to see we're just like they are with our disregard for the quality of life we gift our children and their children..etc. etc.

[stopgov]

03:42 PM on 03/09/2012

I worked in that industry until my plant was closed and all the people lost their good paying jobs. I was the environmental engineer there for years and was involved with the testing as well. So I know it for a fact. Do your own research, there is plenty out there on the subject. Just don't go to the EPA web site because they lie.

Oh, and I successfully fought them for years on stupid permit conditions, that they also lied about. When I first went into the job, I trusted and believed they were doing the right thing to protect us. Now I know the truth, they lie and blackmail companies. If they didn't I would not have won, but it costs time and money. When they don't like something they rewrite the rules, without Congress. It's unconstitutional, and against the law.

Again where's the proof of the deaths?

[jrb359]

09:49 AM on 03/09/2012

Years ago, if a neighbors house burnt down, the people all pitched in to help rebuild it. Now that couldn't be done with all the departments and agency's justifying their useless existance with regulations and permits. Do we really NEED this much government oversight? Here in NJ a dentist was caught dumping dirty needles into the ocean in one of the shore towns. He got caught and went to jail. Now did we really need the EPA to tell us this was wrong?

[fredrdr]

10:05 AM on 03/09/2012

I guess you would like your child to play in the sand with dirty needles?

[jrb359]

10:14 AM on 03/09/2012

And I guess you missed my point. Common sense says you don't dump needles into the ocean. WHAT did the EPA do to prevent this Dentist from dumping dirty needles into the ocean? Nothing. What I'm trying to say is do we really NEED all these taxpayer, politically appointed agency's? If someone gets sick from eating spoiled food, we get the word out not to eat it AFTER someone has already become ill.

[NoQuarter472]

01:54 PM on 03/09/2012

You mean like the ones left behind by the OWS"?

[tdorilio]

10:50 AM on 03/09/2012

I agree, we have all this oversight AND pollution. If a State is being polluted by a plant in another state they should sue the other state. No EPA, if the souce of pollution is within the same state the state should heavily fine the business, NO EPA> With all these gov't agencies we are only creating more pockets for politicians to pick=corruption

[ConnieDr]

09:41 AM on 03/09/2012

How will this affect the 200k companies that have these boilers? Will it cause some of them to shut down? I know a lot of people on this board are saying, who cares its a big business. But those big businesses employ people!

[justasimplegirl]

09:51 AM on 03/09/2012

Who do you suggest pays for the heath problems caused by the poisons you want spewed into the environment? Will you help pay for the cancers, birth defects, breathing troubles, and other heath issues these pollutants will cause? Ill you move your family to an area that is effected by the poisons? Let me guess you find this as a good measure to create jobs in the health care and funeral markets. Here is an easy question will your neighborhood be one of those that the poisons will infiltrate? Will you and your loved one breath the mercury, drink the water it leeches into?

[stopgov]

10:38 AM on 03/09/2012

Where are the facts? How many people died or were made ill. All the EPA says is it is estimated, what are the sources? Do you know anyone who died or was poisoned by Hg?

I can't believe you aren't concerned about the fluorescent light bulbs, they contain about 20 mg of mercury, not the 1 part of mercury per 1,000,000,000 parts of emissions. If you break one in your house you should evacute it immediately, and get a hazmat team to clean your house.

[ConnieDr]

11:07 AM on 03/09/2012

We ALL will pay for their healthcare once obamacare is fully implemented! Now I ask you, how does it help if the US is the ONLY country helping the environment? We cut back on "green house gases" as china is erecting a new coal plant every day!

[remarks208]

09:54 AM on 03/09/2012

ConnieDr.... Liberals do not care about the US economy... they do not care about US Citizens or US based businesses... mainly because not one of them has the common sense God gave to a rock or have the first clue about anything other than their agenda to be the nanny for everyone else.

[justasimplegirl]

09:59 AM on 03/09/2012

remarks two simple questions -----1- would you move next to place that spewed mercury or want it in your neighborhood? 2- Are the businesses created by man more important than the lives He created?

[bredlaum]

02:03 PM on 03/09/2012

Remarks, F&F
Exactly!

[megancate]

09:41 AM on 03/09/2012

The strong concervative mindset has always been one of immediate profit with no real concern for the long term effects, and history has born t his out throughout the industrial revoultion. "Why should I care what is happening, I'll be dead inn 30 years anyway," has been the attitude of many corporate giants for over 150 years. Problem is, their legacy is our nightmare. This IS a finite planet, and we have no right to destroy with wild abandon what we have now just for profit with no concern for those who come after us. At the rate we are damaging the planet, whether you believe in the human impact on global climate change or not (even with all the evidence to support it), this planet IS warming, and in the lifetimes of many today, they will see nations disappear, mass migrations of people on an unbelievable scale, starvation, war and death. Our atmosphere is being poisoned to where, in about 100 years, humans might not even be able to breathe it.

Is the EPA necessary? Yes, because business doesn't care beyond the $ which is their god. And it would seem that the greed of the people who also have more worship for the $ than they do for God's great creation, the Earth, is equally great. We only have ONE home people, and this is it. You can't just mess it up and MOVE.

[justasimplegirl]

09:26 AM on 03/09/2012

I suggest that we have all those who vote to get rid of the EPA be moved to the effected areas where the deregulation will have the biggest impacts. They know they have the ability to not have to live in the pollution they create thus they just do not care who it will harm. Let them drink the water, breath the polluted air. Let them LIVE with the results of their actions and see how fast they change their minds. Make it where they do not get to profit from their actions, but instead their family must live in the environment they help create - see what happens then.

[remarks208]

10:01 AM on 03/09/2012

I'd be willing to bet the majority of the "poor wretches" who now live in areas, the epa gestapo stormtroopers use as victims, moved into those areas AFTER the companies that the whiney nanny culture complain about had been long established there. In fact, most moved there in order to seek jobs from those "ALLEGED evil, people hating, polluters" knowing fully what was in the area. Perhaps the nanny culture whimperers should actually try to run a private sector business and attempt to run a business with the constantly changing and ridiculous regulations the far left tries to implement without the approval of congress (aka the representatives of the citizens)

[stopgov]

10:38 AM on 03/09/2012

I ready to move, what's the address.

[harmonie555]

09:20 AM on 03/09/2012

Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights, and is often equated with Progressivism, a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes through the state. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally liberals support ideas such as Federal constitutionalism, social equality, economic fairness, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights, capitalism, and the free exercise of religion. John F. Kennedy, a self described liberal, defined a liberal as "someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions...someone who cares about the welfare of the people". Liberals tend to not be limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; they strive to be free from bigotry, and favor proposals for reform, are open to new ideas for progress, and are tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others. Yes, I am absolutely very proud to be labeled as a LIBERAL and a Progressive!

[justasimplegirl]

09:53 AM on 03/09/2012

Thank you !!!!! F/F

[remarks208]

10:09 AM on 03/09/2012

Are you also proud that every single day, the liberals you helped elect, trample the specific provisions of the US Constitution and then use liberalspeak to try and justify it? The US Constitution spells out precisely what the states permit the Federal government to do... and to date, not one thing the House, when under Pelosi or the Senate under the vegas land swinder or the executive branch under obama have done legislatively or by fiat are permitted by the US Constitution. And the POTUS's claim to be a "constitutional scholar" makes him even more of a pathetic joke. If the liberal/progressives (aka socialists) want to change the US Constitution to permit what is now overreach, go ahead and try but stop the illegal tromping on the rights of citizens and states until you do.

[justasimplegirl]

10:16 AM on 03/09/2012

bla bla bla

[stopgov]

10:40 AM on 03/09/2012

Thank you F&F

[andy2x]

09:19 AM on 03/09/2012

Yay! Protection of Americans wins out over GOP bull and worship of the almighty dollar.

[cdavispapa]

10:14 AM on 03/09/2012

when unemployment gets to 30% you will say what is wrong.

[stopgov]

10:40 AM on 03/09/2012

No they won't they'll blame Mr. Bush and the TP.

[rrfotobus]

08:48 AM on 03/09/2012

As I read the posts I am amazed at the lack of knowledge put forth by those opposed to the EPA and the protections they provide for our air and water. The fact that the right wingers use "lib" as a bad word shows their complete lack of concern for our environment and planet. Of course their attitude does fit in with their attitude towards women's rights and the sacrifices they want the middle class to make so that the millionaires can get more tax breaks. "What are you thinking." best sums up how I perceive the ultra conservatives in our country.

[barkingcat]

08:56 AM on 03/09/2012

Please don't be too amazed -- for years people have fought/spoken out/voted against their own best interests, and, in this case, those of generations to follow.

And name-calling is part and parcel of the process.

Feel free to be a tad bit disappointed, though.

In the meantime, fanned and faved for your post.

[vakh]

03:20 PM on 03/09/2012

So what makes you an expert on the best interests of others??????

[admnasstsd]

09:32 AM on 03/09/2012

First of all, there are not many ultra conservatives in the Senate. Second, women's rights? Please. Democrats are using ovaries as pawns in an election year. What is so almighty important about birth control pills being free (with all of the availability out there already) while prescriptions essential for medical conditions will carry a copay and will continue to only cover the generics? Finally, our tax system is messed up. That you don't think people like Romney paying $6 million a year in taxes is "enough," I don't think it's right that half of this country isn't paying ANY income tax. Don't give me the sob story about the "poor." Their benefits are not included in their income. This group includes my working son who lives at home, can't be claimed as a dependent, and has only to pay for the gas in his car. Still others live with the father of their children and manipulate the tax and entitlement system to their benefits, making them far better off in reality than a struggling young married couple. So tired of the nonsense of the left. We all care about the environment, but not at the expense of our country's growth. There needs to be balance. In a fragile economy, what will these companies do if they can't comply? How many will lose their jobs?

[rrfotobus]

10:12 AM on 03/09/2012

There are so many flaws in your logic, so I will simply address one of them.
"We all care about the environment, but not at the expense of our country's growth." Read what you said and think! You would sacrifice the air and water health of this country and the safety of future generations in order to have the country progress financially is how I read it. You only care about the environment when it is not standing in the way of economic progress.

[buffjetmech]

11:35 AM on 03/09/2012

No one but Rush and the Republicans are talking about birth control being "free". The Democrats are talking about birth control being included in the health insurance people "pay" for. The Republicans and evangelicals want to take birth control away period!

[PaulBardinas]

08:38 AM on 03/09/2012

It is amazing that people would actively pursue agendas that harm their own health, harm the environment, and make the fish they eat inedible. WOW! The EPA is the only thing standing in the way of industry polluting, but idiots want to gut and defund the only agancy that can prevent a plant from dumping garbage into the air and water. Boilers pollute, and it should be pretty much common sense that if the technology exists to limit the damage they cause then businesses should be forced to use it. Why is this controversial?

[admnasstsd]

09:35 AM on 03/09/2012

Tell that to our Church that had to stop their construction work because some birds were found in a tree on the property. The EPA needs to be reformed. Period. No one wants to breathe filthy air. In California we have strict car emissions. It costs us a lot of money, and when I hear the acceleration on my car during the smog check, I wonder if they've done irreparable damage. Then I drive out to the freeway and see smog spewing cars that came over the border. We are such saps.

[whydothat]

09:42 AM on 03/09/2012

we don't need churches but we do need birds

[PaulBardinas]

09:58 AM on 03/09/2012

I'm not sure what birds have to do with the EPA. If the birds were an endangered species then I would understand why the church should have to suspend construction. You should be greatful that you live in a State that has strict emissions standards. Imagine what the smog in LA would look like whitout them. As far as cars from the boarder, I would suggest you get your state legislators to sponsor a new law giving State Troopers the right to pull cars over spewing smog and give them tickets. I get pissed whenever I see a truck spewing black smoke into my face and wish someone could pull them over and force them to the nearest inspection station for a test and fine.

[stopgov]

10:51 AM on 03/09/2012

Hey, why not shut the boilers down today, all of them. Boy when the power goes out for a couple of days people scream and want heads on a stake. Shut them down now, because they are "still polluting" after they put on emission controls.

Where is the evidence of the deaths and ill? Do you know or have you ever met someone who died or got ill from the mercury? There is no known reliable mercury emission control equipment. There is more mercury in your pigtail light bulb (20 mg vs parts per billion from boilers - that would be 0.0000000020 mg).

[PaulBardinas]

01:04 PM on 03/09/2012

No one says we need to shut all the boilers down. No one is suggesting we stop everything. It would be great for the planet, but no one is proposing it. What people like myself are proposing is that we move swiftly to reduce energy use, invest in technology to reduce pollution and CO2 emissions, impliment tougher regulations, transition to cleaner alternatives (wind, solar, natural gas, etc.).

[vakh]

02:33 PM on 03/09/2012

Not to change the subject but on heating the well water
Have you thought of using a fresnel lense from one of those old style wide screen tvs?

[stealth694]

08:32 AM on 03/09/2012

Take a look at any major cities skyline circa 1960's,
Then take a look at the same city Circa Now.
Which would you rather have??

[ELEV-B-P]

08:50 AM on 03/09/2012

NO RESTRICTIONS AND FREEDOM IS WHAT AMERICA WANTS NEEDS AND IS GOING TO RECOVER

[John Eylar]

08:52 AM on 03/09/2012

Sort of like deregulating wall street is going to make us all rich?

[astro314]

09:08 AM on 03/09/2012

butthead

[admnasstsd]

09:36 AM on 03/09/2012

Exactly. We have all become more and more aware of the environment. Now, if only those smokers would stop using the streets as their ashtrays...

[joyceches]

01:07 PM on 03/09/2012

I have a deal for you admnasstsd. I will quit smoking if you quit using your car. The fumes that come out of your automobile is infinitely worse that what comes from a cigarette. I suspect you won't take me up on that because you like to drive, right?

[ELEV-B-P]

08:26 AM on 03/09/2012

THIS NATION IS IN A SILENT PUSH TO ELIMINATE DEFUND OR WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO DISMANTLE THIS JOB KILLING SOCIETY BLEEDING EPA,,,AND IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN

[vjojobear]

08:34 AM on 03/09/2012

This bleeding EPA, as you put it, is the only thing that is keeping America from looking like the picture of China...I've live in China...You don't want your grandchildren breathing that...Or, maybe you do. YOu need to stop listening to Ron Paul

[ELEV-B-P]

08:43 AM on 03/09/2012

HELL MY GRANDCHILDREN WILL STARVE TO DEATH BEFORE THEY WOULD HAVE ILL EFFECTS OF BAD AIR UNDER THE EFFECTS OF THE EPA REGULATIONS

[joyceches]

01:08 PM on 03/09/2012

You need to get a life and quit thinking you know what is best for everyone else!

[JamesScott]

08:43 AM on 03/09/2012

Water and air trump any other concern.