Task Force Created
On September 29, 1999 Governor Jeanne Shaheen announced the formation of the NH Mercury Task Force. The Task Force is chaired by the Department of Environmental Services. The Task Force is comprised of state officials, legislators, and representatives from business and environmental organizations, who have joined together to oversee the implementation of strategies to prevent mercury from contaminating the state’s water, air and freshwater fish supply. The Task Force meets to review progress on the implementation of the State’s Mercury Reduction Strategy and identify cost-effective steps to decrease mercury sources. The Task Force will also focus on increasing public awareness of mercury issues, and assist DES in creating and guiding work groups to address specific sources of mercury, municipal waste combustors, electric utilities and healthcare facilities.
Mercury Reduction Task Force Co-Chairs
- Stephanie D’Agostino
NH Department of Environmental Serves
6 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-6398
stephanie.d'agostino@des.nh.gov - Tom Niejadlik
NH Department of Environmental Serves
6 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-6865
thomas.niejadlik@des.nh.gov
Organizations Represented on the NH Mercury Task Force
- Audubon Society of New Hampshire
- Clean Water Action
- Conservation Law Foundation
- NH-VT. Solid Waste Project
- NH Fish and Game Department
- NH Division of Health and Human Services
- NH Hospital Association
- NH House of Representatives-Environment & Agriculture
- NH House of Representatives-Science, Technology & Energy Committee
- NH Lakes Association
- NH Public Interest Research Group
- NH Senate Environment Committee
- NH Small Business Development Center
- Northeast Resource Recovery Association
- Osram Sylvania
- Public Service Company of NH
- University of New Hampshire
- Waste Management Inc.
- Wheelabrator Environmental Systems
Mercury Task Force Work Groups
Public involvement is an important component of effectively solving the mercury contamination problem. Since mercury wastes and emissions are generated by all segments of the population, outreach, education, and technical assistance are integral to implementing the NH Mercury Reduction Strategy. Under the umbrella of the NH Mercury Task Force, four workgroups have been established.
The missions of these workgroups are described below.
- Outreach and Education Workgroup
Recommend action on the assimilation and dissemination of accurate, available information on mercury to:- Raise public awareness of mercury-related public health and environment issues.
- Educate the general public, particularly at-risk populations, about New Hampshire’s fish consumption advisory.
- Encourage the proper collection and recycling of spent, mercury-containing products through implementation of the Universal Waste Rule and other mechanisms.
- Reduce mercury and other pollutant emissions through fuel and energy efficiencies by the use of fluorescent lighting, energy efficient appliances, etc.
- Warn consumers and businesses of the problems associated with the improper disposal of spent mercury-containing products.
- Promote the development, purchase and use of mercury-free products whenever feasible.
- Healthcare Workgroup
Evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of lowering the emissions limit for hospital/medical/infectious waste incinerators (HMIWIs) to 0.028 mg/dscm (dry standard cubic meters) and develop recommendations on outreach initiatives to healthcare providers, dentists, laboratories, etc., to encourage the use of alternative (non-mercury) products and procedures.
Contact: NHPPP (800) 273-9469 or nhppp@des.nh.gov - Municipal Waste Combustor Workgroup
Develop an integrated waste management strategy for municipal waste combustors (MWCs), evaluate the need for periodic mercury emissions testing of MWCs, and evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of closing MWCs over time.
Contact: Tom Niejadlik (603) 271-6865 or thomas.niejadlik@des.nh.gov - Utility/Non-Utility Boiler Workgroup
Evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of requiring a 75% reduction in mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by the year 2005; repowering coal-fired power plants in New Hampshire to natural gas; and switching from #6 fuel oil to #2 fuel oil or natural gas (at oil-fired power plants). Evaluate methods to reduce mercury emissions from non-utility boilers.
Contact: Andy Bodnarik (603) 271-6800 or andrew.bodnarik@des.nh.gov