|
space Press Releases, News Stories |
|
Press Release from Tom Allen and John Balducci, Members of Congress WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A, 21 June 2001 -- Legislation provides for safe storage of HoltraChem mercury until a permanent disposal solution is in place U.S. Representatives Tom Allen and John Baldacci today introduced the Mercury Storage and Safe Disposal Act of 2001. The bill provides for the safe storage of 160,000 pounds of mercury remaining from the 260,000 pounds left behind when the HoltraChem plant in Orrington ceased operation. "Our legislation will allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to store the mercury until the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed a study to identify the best long-term means for its disposition," Representatives Allen and Baldacci said. "DoD has both the facilities and the expertise to assure that the mercury is removed safely from its current location and managed properly until a permanent solution is set in place." The legislation directs EPA to assess a variety of options, including long term storage, mercury stabilization, and other safe mercury disposal technologies, for safety, efficiency, cost effectiveness, long term durability, and public acceptability. From 1967 until September 2000, HoltraChem manufactured chlorine at its Orrington plant for use in Maine's paper mills. The plant employed a chlor-alkali process to separate sodium and chlorine from salt water. In this process, elemental mercury was used as a cathode to collect the sodium from the water. The chlor-alkali process is an older technology and has been replaced by mercury-free production techniques at newer plants and at some converted older plants. At one time, there were as many as 30 chlor-alkali plants in the United States. When it ceased operations last fall, HoltraChem was one of only 13 chlor-alkali plants left in the country. Some of the HoltraChem mercury was shipped to India, only to be returned when India's Environment Ministry found that the shipment was illegal and could not be allowed to enter the country. Mercury is a known toxin which causes neurological problems, especially in babies and children whose systems are still developing. Grave concerns have also been raised about the impact of mercury on Maine's wildlife particularly our loon population. The large quantity of mercury remaining at the HoltraChem facility, coupled with apprehension over its potential release into the environment have precipitated efforts in Maine and at the national level to dispose of it safely. contact: Mark Sullivan (Allen), (207)774-5019 Doug Dunbar (Baldacci), (202)225-6306 FAIR USE NOTICE. This document contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The Basel Action Network is making this article available in our efforts to advance understanding of ecological sustainability and environmental justice issues. We believe that this constitutes a `fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond `fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. More News |