Environmental Group Applauds Governor's Plans to Reduce Mercury Pollution and Provide Tax Relief to Buyers of Fuel-Efficient Cars

CHICAGO, Jan. 18, 2006 -- The Environmental Law & Policy Center commends Governor Blagojevich on important environmental initiatives in his State of the State address today. In particular, the Environmental Law & Policy Center applauds the Governor's proposals to reduce mercury by 90 percent by June 30, 2009 and to support fuel-efficient car purchases through a $500 sales tax rebate.

"We commend the Governor on the important environmental initiatives that he championed in his State of the State address today," said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. "We're pleased that the Governor is taking these important steps to protect our health and our environment."

On the Governor's Mercury Pollution Reduction Plan:

"The Governor's Plan to reduce mercury pollution from coal plants will protect our children's health and the environment," said Learner. "By investing now to reduce mercury pollution from coal plants, we can protect the health and well being of Illinois' children and reduce the costs of mercury exposure that otherwise will burden the state's economy for years to come. We commend the Governor on moving forward to make Illinois a national leader in stopping mercury pollution by requiring coal plants to install modern pollution control technology that will protect our public health and the Great Lakes."

More information on the Governor's mercury reduction plan is available at http://www.stopmercurypollution.org/ .

On the Governor's $500 Sales Tax Rebate for Buyers of Fuel Efficient Cars:

"The Governor's sales tax rebate proposal for fuel-efficient cars is forward-thinking," said Learner. "The Governor's Plan will provide an incentive to help Illinoisans buy the cars of the future that have better gas mileage, thus saving people money, using less foreign oil and protecting our environment by reducing air pollution."