Power plants are responsible for nearly one-fourth of total U.S. emissions of mercury, a neurotoxin that accumulates in human tissue and causes serious human neurological impairment. Humans are exposed primarily through repeated consumption of fish that accumulate mercury compounds from a contaminated food chain. In recent years, the technological readiness and market availability of renewable energy have advanced to the point where renewable energy can be developed at a scale that makes it a viable emissions reduction tool. Wind farms and photovoltaic energy create little or no air pollutant emissions. And geothermal and bioenergy plant developers cite very low emission levels in comparison to coal, oil, and even clean-burning natural gas.
Numerous studies suggest that the use of renewable energy resources can expand rapidly.
6 Two studies by the U.S. Department of Energy considered the potential increase in generation of these sources if Congress were to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. The industry is at serious risk of losing its ability to claim that renewables improve air quality. Moreover, the Clean Air Act can be modified so that renewable energy developers receive revenue for the air quality benefits they provide. Changes to the Clean Air Act also present a good opportunity to push for other forms of renewable energy incentives, including a national renewable portfolio standard, federal funding for capital cost buy-downs, emission taxes, net metering, or production tax credits. These policy reforms have been included in tax and electric utility restructuring bills, but could just as well emerge in Clean Air Act amendments.