News Coverage
Illinois mercury levels in spotlight
Administration's plan a hot topic
Published February 25, 2004
As the Bush administration arrives in Chicago Wednesday to promote its plan to let power companies buy and sell the right to emit mercury into the atmosphere, some scientists and policymakers contend the proposal may not help reduce high levels of the toxic material in northeastern Illinois.
Recently released estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified the Chicago area as a "hot spot" where relatively large amounts of mercury fall back to earth. Agency scientists also found that nearly two-thirds of the pollutant comes from sources within Illinois.
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