Frank Lautenberg: “I suspect most Americans are going to be shocked to learn the administration wants to allow more poisonous mercury into…”

“I suspect most Americans are going to be shocked to learn the administration wants to allow more poisonous mercury into the environment. But that is exactly what they are trying to do. We should not permit this vote to take place as it is. I hear the arguments that are being made that reducing toxic emissions from coal-fired plants may in fact increase the cost of energy, that it would be terrible. People are being shocked by the cost of fuel and energy generally. But if you want to look at a bunch of children and say, ``No, we are going to risk these children having learning disabilities and to not be able to function properly, not be able to be an integral part of their school body as would be planned,'' as opposed to perhaps--perhaps--the energy we use costing a couple more cents, there cannot be any justification for this resolution not to pass. I hope our colleagues in the Senate will look very closely at the decision they are making, between children and a little extra cost for energy. July 27, 2005. Exhibit 1 Dear Senator: As leading national health organizations, we are writing to ask that you vote to protect the public's health, especially children's health, from the threat of mercury pollution. The upcoming vote on the Collins-Leahy joint resolution to stop EPA from implementing its new Mercury Clean Air Rule is an opportunity to put children's health first.…”