Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Utilities Poison Water to Meet EPA Air Regs

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted May 2, 2009 4:14 PM CDT

(Newser) – A federal law that keeps utilities from poisoning the air is causing toxic metals to infiltrate US waterways, the Washington Post reports. As the Environmental Protection Agency debates possible solutions with lawmakers, utility companies are storing pollutants like mercury and selenium in sludge ponds that eventually leak into lakes and rivers.

It makes no sense to solve “one environmental problem by creating another," one green advocate said. Highly toxic selenium, meanwhile, is contaminating fish that end up on dinner plates; some states have issued consumer warnings. And utilities are often caught between state or local laws and the EPA. “The standards we have to meet, we are meeting," said one director whose utility produces selenium at 100 times over EPA limits.

A flock of geese fly past a smokestack at the Jeffery Energy Center coal power plant near Emmitt, Kan.
A flock of geese fly past a smokestack at the Jeffery Energy Center coal power plant near Emmitt, Kan.   (AP Photo)
The water in Tar Creek flows orange with acid mine water near Miami, Okla.
The water in Tar Creek flows orange with acid mine water near Miami, Okla.   (AP Photo)
The coal-fired Plant Schereris in operation at Juliette, Ga.
The coal-fired Plant Schereris in operation at Juliette, Ga.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Robert_Dada
May 3, 2009 6:02 AM CDT
Absolutely. I'm so tired of people in this country saying it is unfeasible and cost prohibitive, yet we see other countries doing it like Costa Rica, Denmark, etc. We've allowed our politicians and ourselves to become enslaved to big business and their short sighted self interests.
Doctor-Zaius
May 3, 2009 2:55 AM CDT
Just remember we are also swimming in that toxic soup. We need clean, renewable energy now.

More Newser Stories

Court Reinstates Bush Clean Air Rule

Court Upbraids EPA for Mercury Cap-and-Trade


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne