This Senate resolution says mercury pollution can cause severe health problems, including permanent brain damage, kidney damage, and birth defects. It calls attention to facts stated in the resolution: mercury is a powerful neurotoxin; it occurs naturally in coal, petroleum, and natural gas; burning those fuels releases mercury into the air; mercury then enters soil, water, and the food system. The resolution says eating fish from mercury-contaminated waters is the most common way people are exposed. It cites that all 50 States post fish advisories and that, as of 2025, Colorado reported more than 3,700 mercury advisories across the United States. The resolution states fossil fuel–fired power plants are the largest source of mercury emissions, and that about 80,000,000 people live within 3 miles of a fossil fuel power plant, including about 17,000,000 children. The text lists health effects tied to mercury exposure and says there is no known safe level of exposure. Finally, the resolution says the Senate recognizes these health risks and states that the Environmental Protection Agency should not loosen controls on mercury pollution from power plants.
This resolution is a formal statement by the Senate. It explains health risks from mercury and expresses the Senate's view that the EPA should not loosen controls on power plant mercury emissions. It does not itself change EPA rules or create new regulations—it records the Senate's position and recommendations.
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Supporters emphasize that mercury is a powerful neurotoxin released when fossil fuels are burned. They note mercury enters water and the food chain, that consuming contaminated fish is a common exposure route, and that many states post fish advisories (over 3,700 advisories reported as of 2025). They point to fossil fuel power plants as the largest source of mercury emissions and cite population figures for people living near those plants. They list serious health outcomes linked to mercury exposure, including harms from gestational exposure, and they argue that the EPA should not weaken controls on mercury from power plants.
No publicly available information.