Vermont § 26 - Executive Order No. 10-26 (No. 03-02) [Reduction of Mercury Use]

§ 26. Executive Order No. 10-26 (No. 03-02) [Reduction of Mercury Use]

• WHEREAS, mercury is a persistent and toxic pollutant that has accumulated in Vermont’s
  environment, especially in aquatic environments; and WHEREAS, most of Vermont’s mercury contamination comes from large generators of air
  pollution located in upwind regions of the country; and WHEREAS, this pollution is harmful to health and the environment; and WHEREAS, consumption of certain fresh and salt water fish above the state’s fish consumption
  advisory levels may pose a health risk, especially to young children and women of
  child bearing age because of mercury pollution; and WHEREAS, Vermont’s fish-consuming wildlife are also threatened from mercury contamination;
  and WHEREAS, approximately one third of Vermont’s impaired waters are impaired because
  of air deposition of mercury; and WHEREAS, Vermont and other New England States and the Eastern Canadian Provinces support
  the virtual elimination of mercury from the environment; and WHEREAS, Vermont and other New England States agreed to approaches to obtain reduction
  of air deposition of mercury, including litigation against sources of that pollution;
  and WHEREAS, one additional source of mercury contamination in the environment is the
  release of mercury from numerous types of consumer products including thermometers,
  lamps, thermostats, medical instruments, and numerous products containing mercury
  switches (such as autos, pumps and gauges) when they are disposed of or broken; and WHEREAS, mercury-free or low mercury alternative products exist for many consumer
  products containing mercury; and WHEREAS, Vermont must do its part to remove mercury from the environment; and WHEREAS, Vermont has implemented mercury education and reduction programs and a precedent
  setting mercury product labeling law to alert consumers of mercury content; and WHEREAS, Vermont state government has a duty and responsibility to lead by example
  in conserving natural resources and practicing pollution prevention, and has taken
  numerous actions through the Vermont Clean State Program to reduce wasteful practices
  and reduce toxic chemical use and release. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, HOWARD DEAN, by virtue of the power vested in
  me as Governor, do hereby order state agencies, departments and offices. 1. To eliminate the purchase of products that contain mercury where mercury-free alternatives
  exist at reasonable cost and comparable performance to mercury-added products. 2. Where such mercury-free alternative products do not exist, I order that preference
  be given to the purchase of products with the lowest total mercury content feasible
  (and documented as such) and products that bear a mercury content warning label as
  required of product manufacturers under Vermont law. 3. These practices shall be reflected in the administrative purchasing policies of the
  state no later than July 1, 2002 and in all new contracts issued after the effective
  date of this order. 4. The Department of Environmental Conservation shall assist the Department of Buildings
  and General Services in identifying mercury-added products and low and mercury-free
  product alternatives. 5. The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Buildings shall
  jointly report to the Secretary of the Agency of Administration annually regarding
  compliance with this Executive Order. 6. This Executive Order shall take effect upon signing and shall sunset on June 30, 2012. Dated April 4, 2002.