Mercury

Mercury emissions result from the combustion of naturally occurring mercury found in fossil fuels. However, the chemistry is complex and mercury can be found in many forms – some of which are easier to remove from the flue gas stream than others. High exposure to mercury can cause health and developmental problems in animals and humans.

Beginning in 2002, three years prior to the enforced regulation, NSPI’s mercury emissions reached levels of 168 kg or less. This emission level is consistent with the mercury emission cap mandated for 2005 in the provincial Air Quality Regulations and represents a reduction from 2000 emission levels of approximately 40%. Beginning in 2010 the cap was reduced further to 110 kg and will continue to have phased in cap reductions culminating in a cap of 65 kg by 2014.