35th Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

RESOLUTION 35-6 – RESOLUTION REGARDING EFFORTS TO REDUCE MERCURY POLLUTION

 

RESOLUTION 35-6

RESOLUTION REGARDING EFFORTS TO REDUCE MERCURY
POLLUTION


WHEREAS, mercury is very toxic to the developing fetal and infant brain, persists in the environment once released and concentrates into fish at very high levels; and

WHEREAS, mercury pollution is a significant global environmental problem, and the New England states and Eastern Canadian provinces have adopted and are effectively implementing the bi-national New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premier’s (NEG-ECP) Mercury Action Plan (MAP); and

WHEREAS, this long-term plan takes a comprehensive, multimedia approach to reduce mercury pollution and includes measurable milestones, goals, and mechanisms to track and report on progress, and strong steps to reduce mercury pollution; and

WHEREAS, the region is currently estimated to have reduced mercury emissions by approximately 75%, and has achieved significant reductions in unnecessary uses of mercury since the plan’s adoption; and

WHEREAS, mercury pollution continues to be a serious issue in our region; and

WHEREAS, coal-fired electricity generating units are a very significant source of mercury emissions in North American and globally; and

WHEREAS, negotiations are underway through the United Nation’s Environmental Program (UNEP) to develop a global mercury agreement by 2013 to reduce worldwide sources of mercury pollution that, through atmospheric deposition, significantly pollute our region’s lakes, ponds and streams; and

WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has reduced support for state mercury reduction and monitoring programs.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers commend the federal governments of the U.S. and Canada for supporting and exercising leadership in the ongoing UNEP negotiations for a global mercury agreement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Governors and Premiers further commend the USEPA for recently proposing mercury emission requirements on coal-fired electricity generating units in the U.S., and urge the federal governments of the U.S. and Canada, in particular the USEPA and Environment Canada, to actively and significantly support state and provincial mercury reduction and monitoring programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Governors and Premiers recognize the NEG-ECP Committee on the Environment (COE) and the Mercury Task Force (MTF) for effectively implementing the NEG-ECP MAP, and direct them to continue to implement the MAP and work to ensure that information about our successful mercury reduction efforts under this strategy be made available to, and considered in, the UNEP negotiations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Governors and Premiers urge UNEP to expeditiously develop and adopt global mercury reduction efforts and goals commensurate with those under the NEG-ECP MAP.

Adopted at the 35th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian
Premiers in Halifax, Nova Scotia, July 11, 2011.