A reminder: why we need to lower mercury emissions...

Mercury Falling has been going on for a while now, covering a range of topics. So as not to lose sight of our original goal, urge JEA to agree to lower mercury emissions by the same amount it raises rates, let's take a look again at why we must lower Jacksonville's mercury emissions...

JEA had the highest mercury emissions (1,037 pounds) in the state in 2005, according to the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory. In 2003, JEA's St. Johns River Power Park and Northside Generating Station were the largest power plant mercury polluters in Florida. Duval County topped the list of Florida counties with the highest level of power plant mercury emissions, 599 pounds - or 20% percent of the state's total power plant mercury emissions. In Florida, power plants emitted 2,982 pounds of mercury in 2003. Florida ranked at 11th in the nation for the highest levels of power plant mercury emissions. 91% of all reported mercury air emissions in Florida were from power plants. Studies show that mercury bioaccumulates and biomagnifies more quickly in wetlands areas than in other areas. JEA's plants are in a wetlands area, a fact.

Much of the mercury (a harmful bio-accumulative neurotoxin) in Florid's humid climate tends to fall in the region nearest the the coal plant. JEA's plants emit a constant rain of mercury onto our region. Currently every body of water, inshore and offshore, is under fish consumption warnings for mercury. Health impacts are most notable in the old and the young, especially fetuses. Autism, IQ loss and other developmental disabilities have been linked to mercury exposure and are reaching epidemic levels.

Please, take just two minutes RIGHT NOW, and write the mayor and City Council and urge them to get JEA to lower mercury emissions by the same amount it raises rates.