Mercury Rising
Impaired memory and vision. Stunted language development. Poor attention span. Impaired fine motor coordination. These are some of the devastating effects of mercury poisoning, a growing threat to American children.
NYPIRG is working to remove environmental mercury by striking at the most egregious source — heavily polluting power plants that are, amazingly, unregulated under federal clean air standards. Power plants in New York State emitted 1,124 pounds of mercury in 2001, ranking the state 26th in the country.
That’s why NYPIRG is fighting to have Governor Pataki pick up where the federal government failed by issuing strong in-state protections as soon as possible – protections he promised back in 2002. Neighboring states, such as New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, are already taking these steps. The Governor needs to take strong action today to address power plant pollution and mercury contamination so we can protect our children and improve our environment.
NYPIRG released a new white paper dealing with mercury pollution. Click here to read Polluting our Future: How the US Environmental Protection Agency's Proposed Power Plant Mercury Rule Harms New York State.
Power plant pollution has long been a focus of NYPIRG's environmental campaign — click here to learn more about our
Energy Project.
For more information about mercury pollution, including some answers to frequently asked questions, click here.
And most important — make your voice heard!
Click here to find out how.
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Background 
Impacts of Power Plant Pollution Efficiency and Conservation
Renewable Energy
Building New Power Plants Green Electricity
Federal Energy Issues Clean Air Enforcement Project support NYPIRG
