Amendments to Air-quality Regulations Reduce Mercury Emissions

Nova Scotia's new air-quality regulations will reduce mercury emissions, improve air quality, protect people's health and safeguard the environment.

Implementation of the national standard for mercury emissions from coal-fired electric power-generation plants was announced by the province today, Sept. 26.

"We're pleased to be able to move forward with the implementation of the national standard," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint and protecting human health, and these regulations will help us do that."

The Canada-wide standard was developed in 2005 with input from public consultation.

Before the air-quality regulation amendments, the mercury-emissions cap from coal-fired power plants was 168 kilograms per year. The new standard will set provincial caps at 65 kilograms per year, for existing plants, in 2010. New facilities will have to meet strict performance standards for mercury emissions.

Mercury emissions will be monitored by the utility and tracked by the department to ensure they follow regulations.

Nova Scotia's adoption of the national standard is consistent with government's commitment in the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act to reduce mercury emissions by 70 per cent, from pre-2001 levels, by 2010.

For more information about Nova Scotia's air-quality regulations, visit the website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla .