by KYW’s Tony Romeo
Environmental advocates are up in arms after the Pennsylvania Senate on Tuesday passed a bill dealing with mercury emission standards.
The state senate bill would essentially block Governor Rendell’s proposal to require coal-burning power plants in Pennsylvania to reduce mercury emissions more than the federal government requires.
The measure has been the subject of intense lobbying and debate. Pittsburgh Democrat Jim Ferlo was a "no" vote:
“To approve a bill would be a vote that would act against the health and well-being of those who are most vulnerable in our society: quite frankly babies and their mothers.”
Ferlo predicted that mercury pollution will ravage the brains and kidneys of children. Republican Mary Jo White chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee:
“This is not about hurting babies and children. I think that’s insulting to the members of the Environmental Committee, who sat through these hearings, listened to toxicologists, and reviewed reports.”
The bill now goes to the state House.
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