U.S. Sen. Jim Jeffords, I-Vt., Members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, and other Northeastern Senators will hold a press conference and listening session on Monday, September 22nd from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the New England Aquarium to examine how mercury pollution, especially from power plants, is threatening the region's environment and the public's health. They also will highlight both the need for stringent national multi-pollutant legislation like the Clean Power Act to bolster innovative state initiatives like those in Massachusetts, and the failings of the Bush Administration’s Clear Skies bill to adequately protect public health.
The event will begin with a thirty minute press conference with Members of Congress and high-ranking state government officials, and conclude with a listening session, where representatives of environmental and public health organizations, medical institutions, regulatory agencies, and local citizens will share their knowledge and experiences regarding mercury pollution and mercury contamination of fish -- a vital resource to the New England economy.
This will be the second stop in Jeffords' "Clean Air Listen Tour." Jeffords held a similar session in Asheville, North Carolina in May.
Jeffords is the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.