RE: Mercury pollution--support S.J.Res. 20

Dear Senator ,

As an American citizen and taxpayer who cares deeply about the health and future of our citizens and especially our children, I am deeply disturbed at the Bush Administration's proposals to relax the rules and allow more mercury to be emitted into our environment. I strongly urge you to support S.J.Res. 20, a bipartisan joint resolution that would disapprove the de-listing rule and send the administration back to the drawing board to craft a rule that complies with the law and protects public health.

Emissions from coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury pollution in our environment. Mercury is especially harmful to women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and children. Mercury exposure can cause permanent damage to a fetus and has been linked to neurological disorders such as learning disabilities, poor motor function, mental retardation, seizures and cerebral palsy. At least 44 states have issued warnings urging residents -- especially children and women of childbearing age -- to avoid or limit their consumption of mercury-laden fish caught in local waters.

In March 2005, the Bush administration issued regulations that do not do enough to control mercury emissions from power plants. One rule takes power plants off the list of sources subject to strict controls for mercury and other toxic air pollutants. Instead of real reductions in mercury emissions, the second rule then loosens regulation of this hazardous neurotoxin by allowing power plants to make fewer reductions over a greater amount of time than is required by the Clean Air Act, and encouraging trading that is likely to lead to local mercury hot spots.

Please protect the American public from mercury pollution by supporting S.J.Res. 20.

Most Sincerely,

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