Schakowsky said, “Families across the country should be alarmed that President Bush is directing Congress to weaken the Clean Air Act and, as a result, putting at risk the public health of millions of children and pregnant mothers who would be exposed to even greater levels of mercury.  Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress oppose this ill conceived plan and will work to strengthen, not dismantle, our environmental laws.”

 In the letter to the President, the bipartisan coalition wrote, “The net effect of the current draft of ‘Clear Skies’ could be to increase mercury emissions compared to the limits in current law.”

“Mercury emissions jeopardize the environment and public health, especially the health of young children,” They added.  “Mercury is a potent bioaccumulative neurotoxin, which can hurt a developing fetus and young child.  In July 2000, the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences agreed with Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) estimate that 60,000 newborns annually may be at risk for neurodevelopmental effects from in utero exposure to mercury.”

“This month, the Centers for Disease Control released a study that determined that almost eight percent of the roughly 61 million American women of child-bearing age had blood levels of mercury exceeding the precautionary standard set by the EPA,” they continued.

The members concluded, “Progress in reducing public exposure to mercury depends upon strengthening the current Clean Air Act requirements for mercury.  We hope to work with you to ensure that human health is protected, by preventing those requirements from being weakened.”

The Bush Administration’s plan delays any mercury reductions to 2010 and then allows 26 tons in 2010 and 15 tons through 2018.  By contrast, the current rules would be effective in 2008, and could reduce power plant mercury emissions to a little as five tons per year.

Below is the full text of the letter to President Bush:

{Attached}