Emerging Regulatory Issues Archive

Mercury Emissions Cap & Trade
The EPA appears inclined to support a "cap and trade" policy to lower mercury emissions. The cap and trade method will allow industry to buy their way out instead of using technology to reduce emissions.

"Establish a nationwide cap by phasing in lower ceilings on each plant’s pollution. Plants that reduce their pollution below a yet-to-be-determined ceiling for each one could then sell credits to plants that don’t."

“The debate is what’s the best option, given the available technology. And we think that, given the state of technology, cap-and-trade is better — and we’re leaning that way, said EPA spokeswoman Cynthia Bergman."