IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
January 15, 2004

DNR ISSUES NATION'S FIRST AIR PERMIT WITH MERCURY LIMITS

Iowa DNR recently issued the nation's first air permit that controls mercury
emissions. The permit was issued in June for future expansion of the
MidAmerican Energy station at the Council Bluffs Energy Center, expected to
be operational in 2007.

"The permit will reduce mercury emissions by at least 83 percent," said
Chris Roling, the DNR engineer who issued the permit. The permit requires a
"sorbent" or material such as activated charcoal powder or other material be
mixed with flue gases to adsorb mercury. Fabric filters or electrostatic
precipitators then collect the mercury-laden powder along with fly ash and
soot.

The sorbent material used will be determined during a test period closer to
plant operation. Several options beside activated charcoal are nearing
commercial availability.

The DNR was able to consider the controls as a portion of the Clean Air Act
kicked in that requires utilities and air pollution control agencies to look
for ways to reduce mercury emissions using maximum achievable control
technologies.

"Our decision is on the books and should help other states and utilities
decide to utilize these same mercury controls," said Roling. "There is a lot
of research and testing of mercury controls, but we have the first permit to
require controls." Roling said MidAmerican Energy proposed using the
technology in their permit application.

"Any new coal fired utilities in Iowa or elsewhere in the nation will also
need mercury controls," he said. "The technology is available and not cost
prohibitive." He noted that Wisconsin based Dairyland Power is considering
building a coal-fired facility in Mitchell County, Chickasaw County or Alma,
WI.

Iowa also is a national leader in non-polluting wind energy. Currently, more
than 400 wind turbines can potentially produce 423 megawatts, enough
electricity for more than 130,000 homes.

Airborne mercury precipitates into waterways and can accumulate in fish
tissue, posing health risks, such as neurological damage and learning
disabilities for developing children. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and
children under the age of 15 are typically advised in many states to
potentially eat limited amounts of certain fish, depending upon the species
and fish size that also affect mercury concentrations.

Iowa is considering providing new health information about mercury levels in
fish, using more protective standards used by many states than the current
FDA standards. The information is designed to help sensitive groups of
Iowans make informed choices about consumption. Women of childbearing age
and children are most susceptible to the potentially harmful effects of
mercury.

For more information on air pollution controls contact Brian Button at
515-281-7832.
For more information on mercury and fish contact John Olson at 515-281-8905.

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