State air officials won't make changes at legislators' request

By BETH WHEELOCK ( Contact ) Friday, Aug. 22, 2008

From the Associated Press:

State air officials say they won't make the changes legislators want in new mercury emissions standards.

The Department of Natural Resources has proposed rules calling for utilities to slash mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2015. Utilities can extend that deadline to 2021 if they can achieve significant reductions in other pollutants as well.

The Republican-controlled Assembly Natural Resources Committee demanded the DNR erase reduction goals for the other pollutants and study the rules' economic impact. But DNR Secretary Matt Frank said Friday the changes would gut the rules.

The rules now go to the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules. That panel has 30 days to either allow them to take effect or schedule a hearing on the matter.

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