Critics Say EPA Mercury Rule Rolls Back Protections

NPR | By Elizabeth Shogren

Published March 15, 2005 at 12:00 AM EST

The Environmental Protection Agency's new rules for reducing mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants undercut a 2000 proposal that had the support of environmental and public health groups. Critics say the new regulations allow an increase in pollution in some states in the short term. A copy of the regulations was obtained by NPR.

Corrected: March 31, 2005 at 12:00 AM EST

We incorrectly reported that the fish pollock, one of the biggest sources of mercury, is usually imported: Most pollock Americans eat comes from U.S. waters in the Bering Sea.

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