Because Even A Little Is A Lot 
By James Ehlers

Mercury and madness have long gone together. Evidence linking the poisoning effects associated with the metal predates Christ, and the 1865 Alice in Wonderland character, the Hatter, popularized the reality of the negative neurological implications of working with the toxic material then commonly used in the curing of felt for the fashionable. Whether the Lewis Carroll character himself was actually crazy from mercury or whether the wacky creation became a convenient symbol for the very real affliction of the time is still unclear. What is clear, however, is our government appears to be off at their own never-ending tea party.  

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) tells us that "because even a little bit is a lot" when it comes to mercury, it needs to be managed carefully and its use reduced. They state: 

"As the dangers of mercury and its compounds become more apparent, governments are working with concerned citizens, industries and environmental organizations to examine a range of mercury management tools, including laws, policies, regulations, initiatives and agreements aimed at reducing anthropogenic sources. Educational programs are being created to inform people of appropriate reduction measures that can be used in the home, cars, schools and the workplace."

All well and good, yes?

Enter our own March Hare.

The Vermont Legislature and the Vermont Public Service Board created Efficiency Vermont, an organization funded by a surcharge on our electric bills that promotes the use and distribution, even offering subsidies, of compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL)—a product whose essential ingredient, mercury, is the same toxin that another state department, DEC, exists, in part, to reduce because of its poisonous nature. 

But even a little bit is a lot, right?  Ask a hatter.

The US Environmental Protection Agency tells us a little may be a lot but there will be more so be safe:

"As energy-efficient lighting becomes more popular, it isimportant that we dispose of the products safely and responsibly.  Mercury is released into our environment when products with mercury are broken, disposed of improperly, or incinerated. If you break a CFL, clean it up safely. And always dispose of it properly to keep CFLs working for the environment."

Of course, there will be more mercury, our government is making it so, with our own money. Efficiency Vermont boasts, "Participation among appliance retailers and outlets that carry compact fluorescent light bulbs was nearly universal.  Vermont recorded the highest level of compact fluorescent bulb sales per household of any state for which sales data was available." What is DEC doing? Cup of tea? Or maybe not? Cup of tea? Or maybe not?

There must be some plausible spin for all of us, and, of course, there is for those willing to enter the rabbit hole.  The logic is that by using light bulbs that consume less energy we will burn less coal that will then reduce mercury in the air as a result coal-fired electrical generation plants.  Interesting, but old thinking. The same sort of thinking that puts us where we are today, obviously still trying to get a handle on our flamingo and our mercury.

It is time to join the modern world. It is time to leave the lightbulb madness behind. Nuclear power will not only address mercury in our air, and in our water, and in our homes, but also other harmful pollutants such as nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxides. It will allow for the eradication of smog and acid rain. It will lay the groundwork for an electric transportation market, freeing our nation of intense national security concerns centered around gasoline. It will provide more reliable and less expensive power than either solar and wind while consuming exponentially less habitat. It will free us to explore hydrogen as another potential fuel source, and it will stop the thousands of death each year associated with coal mining. It will bring an end to the insanity of doing the same thing over and over again and somehow expecting a different result. Nuclear will allow us to continue to expand our imaginations in search of the possible instead of attempting to do the impossible—stave off progress with a sweater. It is the natural evolution of the human imagination, just as fire once was.

Dangerous?  Nuclear fuel in the hands of engineers is far safer than money in the hands of bureaucrats and mercury in the hands of politicians. History makes this point rather clearly.  Current affairs add the exclamation point.

Twinkle, twinkle, little atom!
How I wonder if we had 'em!
Up above the world you fly,
Mercury-laden bulbs instead they make me buy.

James Ehlers is Publisher Emeritus of Elk Publishing, Inc. and this article originally appeared in “Livin’ The Vermont Way”