On Monday, U.S Rep. John McHugh [1] introduced a bill [2] in the House of Representatives that will target sharp emissions reductions of carbon dioxide, mercury, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide from America's coal burning power plants. This is the only bill in Congress so far that addresses the four pollutants in one piece of legislation.

Under this bill, coal -fired power plants will be required to:

1. Reduce carbon emissions 25% by 2020 and reduce emissions 80% by 2050;
2. Reduce current mercury pollution rates 90% by 2011. Plants exceeding the required reductions will face fines of $10,000 per every ounce; and
   
3. Reduce sulfur and nitrogen dioxide levels by 75% from their 1997 levels by 2010.

According to McHugh, this bill will greatly affect sensitive regions within New York state, which it singles out for special protection. The bill includes several sensitive regions including Lake Champlain and Long Island Sound, as well as the Catskills and Adirondacks -- both of which have struggled with mercury pollution and acid rain.