EPA's Presents for Big Polluters By Christopher Brauchli
Mercury has been identified by the EPA as the "toxic of greatest concern among all the air toxics emitted from power plants". It contributes to neurological disorders and is a particular threat to pregnant women. One has to applaud the EPA's straightforward description of the effects of mercury. Its proposal to ease the rules on its emission into the atmosphere is another matter.
According to a report in the New York Times, the EPA's newest proposal would make the upcoming 'legally mandated mercury regulation fall under a less stringent section of the Clean Air Act that governs pollutants that cause smog and acid rain, which are not toxic to humans.' The EPA estimates that 48 tons of mercury is released into the air each year by power plants.
New Bush-Bashing Website Debuts townhall.com
BushGreenwatch.org, a news-and-information website, debuted on Monday, offering what it called an "expose" on the Bush administration's "conflicting" messages on the dangers of mercury.