ST. PAUL -- The state's largest coal-fired power plants must upgrade their facilities to reduce the amount of mercury released into Minnesota's environment, under a legislative compromise announced Thursday.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty, lawmakers, environmental activists and power industry officials have agreed on a plan to cut by 90 percent emissions of the harmful toxin at the three largest coal-fueled power plants by 2014. The Legislature must approve the agreement, which is predicted to pass but could see opposition from lawmakers who want tougher mandates and others who argue upgrades will end up costing Minnesotans more.
In his State of the State address earlier this year, Pawlenty urged lawmakers to approve mercury reduction legislation. The deal marks a "watershed event" in Minnesota's environmental history, the Republican governor said during a Capitol news conference.
"Making progress on this is imperative, it's timely and it's important," Pawlenty said.
Xcel Energy's plants in Oak Park Heights and Becker -- along with a Minnesota Power plant in Cohasset -- would be required to drastically limit release of the pollutant, which settles in lakes, has been found in fish. It can also be dangerous to humans.
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If approved, the proposed changes could reduce mercury emissions by a third, or 1,200 pounds a year, said Sheryl Corrigan, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The deal settles differences between competing mercury reduction plans. The DFL-led Senate proposal included more power plants and earlier deadlines.
House Republicans proposed that only the two largest plants meet the 90-percent reduction and be given more time to make the changes.
Rep. Tom Hackbarth, who is pushing the mercury reduction bill in the House, tried once to pass his initial plan but yanked it from debate when it appeared he didn't have enough votes for passage. If the new agreement survives a floor debate without major changes, Hackbarth said it will pass with broad support.
"I think this is a huge step for honest mercury reduction in Minnesota," Rep. Frank Moe, DFL-Bemidji, said. Reducing mercury emissions is important for northern Minnesota because many area lakes contain unsafe levels of the toxin, he said.
Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, who authored the mercury bill in the Senate, said be believes there will be enough support to pass the compromise legislation in that chamber.
