STATE OFFICIALS BATTLE OVER LIMITS ON EXCEEDING EPA MERCURY STANDARD

Legislatures and governors in several states are locked in debates over whether they can set environmental standards stricter than EPA's, in light of widespread pressure from environmentalists to establish mercury emissions limits that are stronger than the new federal rule. The Indiana legislature is considering a new requirement preventing any air and water rules stricter than the federal government's. But other states, including New Mexico and Wisconsin, are wrestling with the impact of existing "no more stringent than" policies that...