3/18: Report says most power plants still emitting toxic mercury

McClatchy: Report says most power plants still emitting toxic mercury

The nonpartisan Environmental Integrity Project reported that 10 plants with the highest amount of mercury emitted are in Texas, Georgia, Missouri, Alabama, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Alabama has one of the top five highest mercury emitting plants in the U.S., and Arkansas has two plants, ranked 32nd and 33rd on the list.

Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury pollution, generating more than 40 percent of U.S. emissions. Mercury released into the air settles in rivers and lakes, where it moves through the food chain to the fish that people eat.

Mercury exposure can harm the brain development of infants and children. Each year more than 300,000 babies may have an increased risk of learning disabilities as a result of exposure to mercury before birth, the report said.

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: Attorney General rejects proposals on recall, term limits

FLORIDA: Lawmakers seek tax breaks, fee cuts despite budget shortfall

GEORGIA: State's unemployment rate hits record high of 10.5%

KENTUCKY: Senate passes bill to block some drug offenders from buying cold medications

LOUISIANA: State officials make pitch to get federal school funding

MISSISSIPPI: State prison to stop segregating HIV-positive inmates

NORTH CAROLINA: A look at state guidelines on government e-mails

SOUTH CAROLINA: House approves 30-cent tobacco tax increase

TENNESSEE: State senate votes to approve fish, birds in barbershops

VIRGINIA: AG's office confirms state will sue over health care

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org