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Critics Say EPA Mercury Rule Rolls Back Protections

The Environmental Protection Agency's new rules for reducing mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants undercut a 2000 proposal that had the support of environmental and public health groups. Critics say the new regulations allow an increase in pollution in some states in the short term. A copy of the regulations was obtained by NPR.

Copyright 2005 NPR

Corrected: March 31, 2005 at 12:00 AM EST
We incorrectly reported that the fish pollock, one of the biggest sources of mercury, is usually imported: Most pollock Americans eat comes from U.S. waters in the Bering Sea.
Elizabeth Shogren
Elizabeth Shogren is an NPR News Science Desk correspondent focused on covering environment and energy issues and news.