The following is a list of bills pertaining to Air Quality that MEIC followed at the 2007 Legislature, and their final status:

Coal-Fired Power Plants

HB 689 (Rep. Alan Olson, R-Roundup): This bill would have prohibited DEQ from regulating solid waste from coal-fired power plants (coal combustion waste) until the federal government regulates this waste; prohibited Montana from adopting any regulation more stringent than the federal regulations that are adopted (whenever that might be); exempted all existing coal-fired power plants from federal regulation; and would have prohibited regulation of on-site disposal of coal combustion waste (as long as a plant calls their disposal of this waste “storage” then DEQ can never regulate the waste). MEIC position: OPPOSE. See fact sheet on HB 689.

• Bill tabled in (S) Natural Resources and Energy Committee 3/31/07.
  

Power Plant Pollution: Mercury

SB 423 (Sen. Christine Kaufmann, D-Helena): The Montana Mercury Safety and Protection Act aimed to reduce pollution from mercury-containing products. Mercury products represent more than 2,000 tons of mercury in the environment. Nationwide, air releases of mercury from products is estimated to be 22-29 tons/year (coal plant emissions represent approximately 48 tons/year). Nationwide, solid waste releases from mercury-containing products are estimated to range between 53 and 83 tons/year (coal emissions are estimated to be 40 tons/year). Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that has been linked to learning disabilities and developmental delays in children. Mercury is passed from a mother to a developing child in the womb or through breastfeeding. It can also damage the heart, nervous system, or kidneys of adults. The main pathway for mercury exposure is through eating contaminated fish. MEIC Position: SUPPORT.

• Bill tabled in (H) Natural Resources Committee 4/3/07.