According to the Salt Lake Tribune, and not any Southern Nevada news outlets so far, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to place caps on the amounts of mercury that gold mines throughout the U.S.–and that means mostly Nevada–can spew into the air.

The costs of the clean up [...]]]> And the EPA wants to cut down the emissions.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, and not any Southern Nevada news outlets so far, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to place caps on the amounts of mercury that gold mines throughout the U.S.–and that means mostly Nevada–can spew into the air.

The costs of the clean up is estimated at $6.2 million initially and $3.8 million per year afterwards.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing regulations to reduce mercury from all 20 of the nation’s gold plants to 1,390 pounds a year. That’s 73 percent less than 2007 levels. The proposal also includes plans for stepped up monitoring.

“Taking mercury out of the air makes our communities safer for everyone,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for air and radiation at EPA. “Our proposal will further progress that has already been made to limit mercury emissions from this industry.”

A call to Barrick Gold Corp.’s Salt Lake City office was not returned Friday. But the EPA estimated the capital cost of the controls at about $6.2 million initially and $3.8 million a year.

Among the environmental advocates applauding the move was Justin Hayes of the Idaho Conservation League, a group that threatened to sue the EPA five years ago over the failure to rein in gold-plant emissions. After an initial review of EPA’s 140-page proposal, he said the rules appeared stringent and likely to force lower emissions.

“Utah and Idaho are downwind from these high-mercury sources in Nevada,” Hayes said.

“This is an important first step towards assuring that Utah children and Idaho children can once again safely eat locally caught fish.” (SLTrib)

Part of the reason that three proposed coal-fired plants were killed in Nevada–despite the support of Gube Jim Gibbons–was because they too spew mercury, which converts to toxic chemicals that get into fish and birds. Of course, the coal-fired plants also produce lots of green-house gases, probably the primary reason energy companies decided to run away from the technology in favor, presently, of natural gas plants. The rush for natural gas is now showing the problems with that fuel: namely some search technologies tend to poison water supplies and people. (Now)

Drat. Shoulda started that tax drive against the gold mines back when they had money. Wait. I mean, of course, more money.

Those of us who can still breathe, anyways.

Which probably is fewer than you'd think given that Nevada still leads the nation in mercury emissions, thanks to the foreign conglomerates here stealing our precious metals without much [...]]]> No doubt everybody's breathing a sigh of relief over the news that Nevada's reduced its emission of toxic crap by 10%!

Those of us who can still breathe, anyways.

Which probably is fewer than you'd think given that Nevada still leads the nation in mercury emissions, thanks to the foreign conglomerates here stealing our precious metals without much return for the natives. (RJ) That's not counting the nifty shimmery lining along the insides of your lungs. Or the bitter almond taste of arsenic in our food and water. Mmm. Almonds.

Surely the Nevada Commission of Tourism can work that into their public relations literature some way. After the AG bungled the case against Mr. Krolicki, I'm sure he's anxious for new projects like that. That'll bring in those California businesses.

Top Five Mercury Emitters:

• Barrick Goldstrike Mines: 1.8 Million lbs.
• Newmont Mining – Carlin North: 1.3 Million Lbs.
• Newmont Mining – Twin Creeks: 1.2 Million Lbs.
• Newmont Mining: Carlin South: 0.4 Million Lbs.
• Ruby Hill Mine: 0.3 Million Lbs.

From 2008 TRI Summary, part B.

Let's not forget all those years, and years, and years when it was Jim Gibbons attacking the EPA for daring to report on metal emissions from Nevada mines. Sniff! surely we deserve four more years of that?

Ooo. Fun sites to visit!

• EPA: Toxic Release Data for States
• Over five million pounds of mercury in Nevada!
• Over 55 million pounds of arsenic!

Fish tissue samples taken from rainbow trout collected from four Idaho and Nevada reservoirs revealed elevated concentrations of methylmercury, according to data released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. The Tribes and USGS [...]]]> Thanks to a comment from NVMojo which led me to an interesting link about Idaho and Nevada Reservoirs:

Fish tissue samples taken from rainbow trout collected from four Idaho
and Nevada reservoirs revealed elevated concentrations of
methylmercury, according to data released by the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian
Reservation. The Tribes and USGS collaborated on and jointly funded the
study. The tissue samples were analyzed at the USGS Mercury Research
Laboratory in Middleton, WI

“The concentrations found were generally elevated for rainbow trout,”
said Terry Maret, the USGS scientist who directed the sampling. Maret
referred to a study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, which found that the average mercury concentration in rainbow
trout across the United States was about 0.11 parts per million (ppm),
wet weight. “About 70% of the fish filets analyzed were above this,” he
said. (DesUSA)

Although results from the Nevada site at the Wildhorse reservoir, near Elko, were not analyzed, fish from the Idaho sites had enough mercury in them that the USGS recommended that pregnant women and children avoid eating large amounts. Why? Because mercury will trash kids’ brains.

But, where, oh, where does it come from?

Methylmercury is the most toxic form of mercury, and methylmercury
contamination is an issue of concern in the intermountain West. Mining
operations, coal-fired power plants, and other sources emit inorganic
mercury to the atmosphere. Inorganic mercury is converted to
methylmercury, an organic form, by anaerobic organisms living in water,
sediments, and soils. Several other Idaho fisheries have been found to
contain unsafe levels of methylmercury. “Reservoirs and wetlands offer
an environment favorable to methylation of mercury,” said Maret.

Gee, I hope Mercury Jim enjoys the fishing near his new $575,000 home in Elko. Just don’t eat ‘em cuz it will degrade cognitive function…. Huh. I wonder if we’d be able to tell the difference?

Don’t like eating poisonous fish, silly Utahns? Well, just you wait until we get those Ely coal-fired plants spewing out more mercury. Why, them fish’ll be oozing the stuff.

And if you don’t like it, silly Utahns, why don’t you just [...]]]> More news from Utah about more fish you’d better not eat cuz they’re full of mercury. (SLTrib)

Don’t like eating poisonous fish, silly Utahns? Well, just you wait until we get those Ely coal-fired plants spewing out more mercury. Why, them fish’ll be oozing the stuff.

And if you don’t like it, silly Utahns, why don’t you just move your state someplace else, far from us short-sighted self-destructive Nevadans?

All parties, including the Nevada Conservation League and the Great Basin Mining Watch, are behind AB 115 which would require more monitoring of the mercury Nevada mines can spew. (NA, RGJ, AP) State Assemblyperson Sheila Leslie had to drop a provision requiring mines to cut mercury emissions by 25% before 2012 because our Mining Overlords threatened [...]]]>

All parties, including the Nevada Conservation League and the Great Basin Mining Watch, are behind AB 115 which would require more monitoring of the mercury Nevada mines can spew. (NA, RGJ, AP) State Assemblyperson Sheila Leslie had to drop a provision requiring mines to cut mercury emissions by 25% before 2012 because our Mining Overlords threatened to kill the bill otherwise.

You know, I think there is a special spot in Hell for our Mining Overlords where they’ll be force fed mercury-laden Nevada Fish and Utah fowl for all eternity. Thems good eatin’.

According to the AP story, some of the poisoned testified: "The proposal also was endorsed by Leonard Hawk and John Malden, who
both testified that they were suffering from mercury poisoning from
eating fish."

And you know why Russ Fields, weyoun for the the Nevada Mining Association, can say that Nevada’s mercury emissions programs are "unique and probably the best in
the nation?" Because our Governor, lest we forget, helped dilute federal attempts to restrict mercury emissions when back East playing vorta for the Miners. (Seed)

John Edwards has come out against coal-fired plants. Sorta, anyways:

John Edwards has outlined an aggressive plan to use energy efficiency
and renewable sources of energy to reduce American reliance on foreign
oil and cut greenhouse gas pollution. However, because coal will play a
major role in meeting U.S. and worldwide energy needs for decades to
come, Edwards believes that the U.S. must take the lead in finding ways
to use coal without warming the planet. He will:

• Ban the Construction of Coal Plants that Cannot Capture
  Carbon: Edwards will require that all new coal-fired plants be built
  with technology needed to capture carbon dioxide emissions. Plants can
  use integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology or other
  effective approaches. As a result, the plants built today will be able
  to permanently and safely store their carbon emissions tomorrow. In
  addition, Edwards will explore ways to address the carbon dioxide
  emitted by current power plants.
• Make a Historic
  Commitment to Safe Carbon Storage: Although the underground storage of
  carbon dioxide holds great promise, more research and experience is
  needed in large-scale projects. By investing $1 billion a year from his
  New Energy Economy Fund, Edwards will accelerate the technology’s
  progress and reduce its cost. He will test at least three large-scale
  efforts to capture, transport, and store carbon dioxide. He will also
  provide clarity for businesses by setting rules for capturing,
  transporting and storing carbon dioxide. (Campaign Site)

So at least Edwards would invest some money in making coal cleaner, assuming that’s possible. However, there isn’t a peep about what he’s going to do about the heavy metals spewing from those stacks. And those cynics over at ABC think he’s just pandering to Californians with their new early primary. (ABC)

Of course, here in Nevada you could probably open up a successful Hookah lounge using smoke from those Ely coal plants. Say, that’s not such a bad idea! I oughta pitch that to Adelson or Wynn!

The Nevada Division of Environment Protection ordered [...]]]> The RGJ and AP report on how Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine is spewing mercury like a Governor hurling after drinking too much with his campaign manager and groping a cocktail waitress. Apparently mercury dust is leaking from the ore-drying system before it gets to filters designed to catch the stuff.

The Nevada Division of Environment Protection ordered the plant to come up with a plan to fix the problem or face heavy fines. Hmm. Raise your hand if you think the mine will ever have to pay a cent in a state run by one of the foremost mercury-emissions deniers. Now, it’s chump-change to Siggy, but the Queenstake Employees PAC dropped at least $1,500 on the Governor in his recent election, too. (p. 18 of CC&E #3) And, hey, Mr. Secretary of State Ross Miller, they don’t seem to have complete financials online yet for that PAC.

Also, Gibbons continues his purge of Guinnites from the State government. Nevada Agricultural Director Don Henderson had his last day today. (AP)

Lisa Mascaro did an excellent overview in the Sun yesterday despite the obligatory commentary from the Nevada Mining Association, Death Watch Division.

Breath deep, denizens of Gibbons’ Country:

At three of the 10 mines tested, airborne mercury was at or below the level that [...]]]> Great Basin Mine Watch has posted the new report about mercury releases from Nevada gold mines.

Lisa Mascaro did an excellent overview in the Sun yesterday despite the obligatory commentary from the Nevada Mining Association, Death Watch Division.

Breath deep, denizens of Gibbons’ Country:

At three of the 10 mines
tested, airborne mercury was at or below the level that occurs
naturally in the environment – about 5 nanograms per cubic meter.

At four others, the levels were at least several times higher than
the 5-nanogram mark. Near active leech heaps, which are not measured
under the state program, researchers found levels as high as 60
nanograms.

At three other mines, the levels were sharply higher.   

More than a mile away from Newmont Mining’s Twin Creeks mine, the
readings showed mercury at nearly 700 nanograms – double the federal
limits for toxic exposure.

At a parking lot outside Coeur’s Rochester mine, mercury was recorded at 2,326 nanograms.   

A parking lot at Glamis Gold’s Marigold mine registered 3,139 nanograms.   

Mike Abbot, a mercury air emissions expert at the U.S. government’s
Idaho National Lab, said that mercury readings of between 2,000 and
4,000 nanograms, taken near one of the nation’s remaining chlor-alkali
plants in Louisiana, are among the highest recorded in the United
States.

He said a high reading would be "any time you get over 1,000." In
his field work, where he measures mercury pollution that is falling on
rural Idaho, the most he has ever measured is 160.

Today’s word is "spew." Shout it out every time you see it!!

I was shocked to see a report in the RJ about what a bad idea it is to build coal-fired power plants throughout the West, especially in the Bidness section which is usually reserved for soothing flattery of our corporate overlords so that they have [...]]]>

Today’s word is "spew." Shout it out every time you see it!!

I was shocked to see a report in the RJ about what a bad idea it is to build coal-fired power plants throughout the West, especially in the Bidness section which is usually reserved for soothing flattery of our corporate overlords so that they have a calming read with their power breakfasts.

The piece pointed to a report on the spread and consequences of coal-fired power in the Southwest written by staffers at Environmental Defense and Western Resource Advocates.

The report focused on the emissions of greenhouse gases from the existing and proposed coal-fired plants. All together the plants in the Southwest region (including Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico) will spew 21,500 tons per year of sulfur dioxide,  18,700 tons per year of nitrous oxide, and 69,900,000 tons per year of carbon dioxide. Can you say "melting icecaps", Kids? And don’t forget the best part, 4,900 tons per year of "particulate matter." That’s the yummy stuff with the mercury in it that gets in the fish and the wildlife and causes birth defects.

And, presidential wannabe and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson fans take note,

The governors of Arizona and New Mexico have adopted specific targets and timetables for reducing their states’ global warming pollution, calling for economy-wide reductions of 50 to 75% by mid-century, compared to recent levels. But these efforts could be sharply undercut if additional coal-fired power plants are built in the region using outdated technology. More than a dozen such plants have been proposed; the magnitude of the yearly greenhouse gas emissions expected from these plants would exceed the amount of emissions reductions targeted by either Arizona or New Mexico.

And the proposed Desert Rock plant in New Mexico, according to the report, will become one of the worst greenhouse gas emitters among power plants.

Ah, a Western Governor with Western solutions to our energy problems, yes, indeedy!

Lookee how Nevada plants will not only spew greenhouse gases, but suck up our precious water as well:

1. Ely Energy Center, Ely, NV: 12,600, 000 tons of greenhouse gases per year. Will suck up 2.6 billion gallons of water per year.
2. Proposed plant at Toquop, NV (near Mesquite). 6,300,000 tons of greenhouse gases per year. Will suck up 800 million gallons of water per year.
3. White Pine Project, White Pine, NV. 5,500,000 tons of greenhouse gases per year.

And John G. Edwards of the RJ gets the VGO Award for best use of the word "spew" in a Nevada MSM piece:

The environmental groups identified the $3.8 billion, 1,500-megawatt
Ely Energy Center as a key coal-fired power plant they oppose. The Ely
center and the other 12 new and proposed pulverized-coal plants would
spew out 69.9 million tons of carbon dioxide yearly, increasing global
warming, the report says.

Keep up the good work, JE. Hope you don’t get fired.

Oops. Almost left out the best part:

It’s unclear whether Gov. Jim Gibbons supports the Ely coal plant. Brent
Boynton, the governor’s spokesman, referred questions about the Ely
Energy Center to Hatice Gecol, Gibbons’ energy and science adviser. She
did not return calls.

To be fair, clarity is not part of the new Gube’s "vision" for Nevada.