The Mercury Program
Semester
Fall 2005
Mercury emissions into the water is an increasing problem, as waste incineration units, municipal landfills, manufacturing plants, and coal-fired power plants all contribute to this dilemma. The Mercury Emission Act of 2005 is an amendment to the Clean Air Act, and aims at a 90% reduction from 1999 emission levels by 2009. Students created the Mercury Program, with the key elements of rulemaking, technology, reporting and enforcement. They recommended an EPA staff and a budget plan, as well as created a master calendar of key deliverables and developed a performance management system, both long and short term.