Is cap-and-trade emission control appropriate for mercury?

[Ladewig]

I've heard some people on the radio say that cap-and-trade is good for everything and others say it is good for everything except mercury. EPA regulations are being discussed this month and mercury may be included in the new c-a-t initiative.

Can someone explain to me why mercury should or shouldn't be included in cap and trade?

 

[aerocontrols]

It seems a plausible reason to oppose cap-and-trade for mercury and not some other emissions might be that cap-and-trade might allow localized mercury emissions to be high enough to be dangerous.

It appears that the same argument could have been made for the emissions that cause acid rain, however, so maybe I'm wrong.

I think the main reason that mercury cap-and-trade is being resisted so strongly is because the Bush administration is for it, but I could be wrong about that as well.

MattJ