The Honorable Carol Browner
Administrator
United States Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Browner:

Enclosed for your information is a copy of the "Omnibus Mercury Emissions Reduction Act of 1998" which is based largely on information contained in the EPA Mercury Report. This bill is drafted based on information included in the report which EPA worked so hard to complete.

The "Omnibus Mercury Emissions Reduction Act of 1998" is an ambitious bill but I am convinced that we need to address all releases of this toxic substance. Although enacting this legislation will be an uphill battle, I will be looking at several legislative opportunities this Congress to move selected portions of my legislation. For example, I may offer the power plant provisions of the bill after the Easter recess if the Senate takes up pending legislation to repeal the Public Utilities Holding Company Act.

At the same time, I hope that you will consider taking administrative steps to begin work on some of the provisions in the bill. For example, public right-to-know provisions, including annual facility-specific reports on mercury emissions that are published in hard copy and on the Internet, are an integral part of my legislation. I encourage you to take steps now to expand "right-to-know" reporting requirements to include mercury emissions from all sources.

Another critical step is the establishment of an informal mercury advisory committee to guide the EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services on research priorities and creating a uniform reference dose. Additional monitoring and research is also necessary on mercury sedimentation trends and more consistent and widely disseminated information on mercury-related fishing advisories across states.

I look forward to working with you on these issues.

Sincerely,

PATRICK LEAHY
United States Senator