Bill Text: MI SR0120 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to oppose actions by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to weaken the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-05-20 - Referred To Committee On Environmental Quality [SR0120 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-SR0120-Introduced.html
senate Resolution No.120
Senator Chang offered the following resolution:
Whereas, The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) are a federal rule that regulates emissions of mercury and other hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants. The MATS rule was put in place to protect the health of people across the country, particularly children and seniors who are more vulnerable to the health impacts of mercury and other harmful pollutants; and
Whereas, On April 16, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its conclusion that it is not "appropriate and necessary" to regulate the emissions of air toxics from power plants because the economic costs are higher than the public health benefits of the rule; and
Whereas, EPA's decision was based on a flawed cost-benefit analysis of the rule that disregards the indirect impacts on public health, referred to as co-benefits, and does not include any of the new scientific evidence demonstrating the direct benefits of the rule. The decision will remove EPA’s legal justification for enforcing the MATS rule and will leave the rule vulnerable to future court challenges; and
Whereas, This change will undermine regulations limiting mercury and other toxins, jeopardizing the health of Michigan residents both from pollution and COVID-19. Mortality rates from COVID-19 tend to be higher in counties with higher levels of long-term air pollution. Communities of color, which already suffer from a disproportionate burden of illness and death, could be particularly affected by these regulatory changes; and
Whereas, Human exposure is not limited to the air we breathe. When coal is burned, toxins, including mercury, fall from the sky into our lakes and streams or are swept into our waterways by rainfall and snowmelt. Once it is in our water, mercury becomes part of the food chain and builds up in large fish that are often headed to consumer markets. A large number of Michigan's waters cannot be enjoyed to their fullest because of mercury pollution; and
Whereas, This rollback runs counter to decades of scientific consensus on the health and environmental hazards of mercury. The harmful effects of mercury on people and wildlife are well-documented. In Michigan, pregnant women are warned against eating certain fish due to the mercury levels in fish. Mercury accumulates in the body over time, which can damage a baby's developing brain and nervous system, impairing the child’s IQ and motor skills. The devastating health effects of mercury are undeniable; and
Whereas, Despite the COVID-19 crisis we are facing today, the Trump administration and the EPA continue their series of attacks on public health and the Great Lakes, compounding the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. Rolling back environmental controls will increase pollution in our air, lakes, rivers, and streams with devastating effects on human health, tourism, businesses, and our state’s economy; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we oppose actions by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to weaken the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
