Southeast Michigan moms thank senators Stabenow, Levin for taking on mercury pollution in the Great Lakes

DETROIT – The U.S. Senate Wednesday rejected a measure seeking to overturn an Environmental Protection Agency rule that would reduce mercury and other pollution emitted from power plants by 90 percent starting in 2015.

Southeast Michigan Moms Clean Air Force thanks Sen. Levin and Sen. Stabenow for supporting protections for the Great Lakes, Michigan communities and Michigan children. The senators support the rule known as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS).

U.S. Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma proposed overturning the rule through a procedural tactic known as the Congressional Review Act. The so-called Inhofe CRA was turned down by a vote of 46-53.

“This is a great victory for the EPA ruling and for Michigan children,” said MOM. “Michigan Senators Stabenow and Levin stood with their communities by voting no on Senator Inhofe’s Congressional Review Act. For mothers, fathers, caregivers and anyone who cares about the children in their community this vote was a success.”