Reps. Minore, Law, Hopgood, Whitmer, Anderson, Kolb, Dennis, Condino, Tobocman, Hunter, McConico, Elkins, Gieleghem, Williams, Jamnick, Zelenko, Reeves, Stallworth, Sak, Clack, Spade, Vagnozzi, Brown, Meisner, Hood, Waters, Plakas, Woodward, Farrah, O'Neil, Accavitti, Paletko, Cheeks, Wojno, Lipsey, Bieda, Gleason, Gillard, Sheltrown, Adamini, Murphy, Hardman and Phillips offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 187.

            A resolution to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider and reverse its proposal to ease restrictions on mercury emissions.

            Whereas, Among the proposed rules being put forth by the Environmental Protection Agency are policies that, as reported, would significantly lessen the target for reducing mercury emissions from power plants.  With the proven threat mercury presents to public health, the proposed rules seek to treat this serious issue in a manner that is very disturbing; and

            Whereas, The draft plan would put in place a "cap and trade" system similar to the program established to reduce acid rain.  While that system has effectively reduced emissions that cause acid rain, the nature of mercury makes this same "cap and trade" approach unacceptable to many in the public health community.  Mercury is known to be far more dangerous to health than the pollutants in acid rain.  The most hazardous chemical forms of mercury emitted by power plants are known to accumulate near the emissions source.  To remove mercury from the list of most toxic pollutants, which the proposed plan does, would be major step backward for our country to take in working for cleaner air and a healthier environment for our people; and

            Whereas, If the planned rules were to be approved, it would represent a reversal of progress we have made in cleaning up our air quality.  For people living near coal-burning power plants, the cumulative effects of mercury would contribute to the buildup of "hot spots" for mercury contamination; and

            Whereas, The threat that mercury poses to our country is real.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that eight percent of women of childbearing age have unsafe levels of mercury in their blood.  Nearly all states have issued warnings about fish being contaminated by mercury.  Michigan has issued warnings that women of childbearing age and children should not eat fish caught in inland lakes. Any measure taken by the EPA that does not reduce mercury in the air in every instance is inappropriate public policy; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider and reverse its proposal to ease restrictions on mercury emissions; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.