Mercury is one of the most dangerous pollutants existing in our environment today. The National Academy of Science has concluded that mercury is highly toxic and remains in the environment for decades. It is a particularly severe menace because it builds up in food chains and poses significant threats to the health of pregnant women and young children. Forty states including Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island have issued warnings against fish consumption from mercury-contaminated water bodies.

CLF plans to sue Brayton Point power plant in Somerset, MA, and Merrimack Station in Bow, NH, to reduce toxic mercury emissions by enforcing long ignored federally mandated mercury pollution control requirements. Brayton Point on the Rhode Island border is the largest single source of air pollution in southeast New England, spewing 240 pounds of highly toxic mercury per year into the atmosphere. Merrimack Station is New Hampshire's dirtiest power plant, emitting 120 pounds of mercury per year.

CLF’s innovative legal strategy is part of a regional effort to combat mercury pollution and protect the health of the people of New England.

Contacts:

Melissa Hoffer
New Hampshire Advocacy Center Director

Steve Hinchman
Staff Attorney, Maine

Seth Kaplan
Clean Energy & Climate Change Program Director

Chris Kilian
Clean Water and Healthy Forests Program Director

Featured Press Coverage:

• 10/30/08 - Northeast States Move to Force Reduction of Mercury Pollution from Midwest Power Plants
• 2/8/08 - Federal Court Overturns EPA Power Plant Mercury Rules
• 12/21/07 - EPA Approves Northeast's Plan to Curb Mercury Pollution From Midwest Coal Plants
• 12/6/07 - EPA Plan to Evade Required Cuts in Mercury Pollution Challenged in Court by States, Tribes, Health and Environmental Groups
• 10/24/07 - Northeast States Set Tough Mercury Limits Targeting Midwest Coal Plants

Contact CLF for additional press releases.

Advocacy Documents:

• 5/17/05 - CLF Files Petition for Review of EPA Mercury Rule in Federal Court (PDF)
• 3/11/05 - Notices of Intent to Sue: Brayton Point (PDF), Merrimack Station (PDF)