[DEHC] take action to finish the mercury bill

[Rosanne.Foley at codman.org]

Dear Supporters of the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow,

Time is running out for the Mercury Products Bill!

There are now less than three weeks left to this legislative session.  The 
Mercury Products Bill, which we have all worked so hard to pass, is on the 
Governor’s desk, but we have heard that he will propose amendments to the 
bill, which will further delay its passage.  The legislative session ends 
on July 31st, and if the Governor proposes amendments, that will add 
another 10 days to the process of passing this bill.  We can not let the 
clock run out!  We need all legislators to consider this bill their top 
priority. 
 
Call or email your State Representative and Senator today and ask them to 
make sure the clock doesn’t run out on the Mercury Products Bill!
 
TO CALL dial: 
Representatives: 617-722-2000 
Senators: 617-722-1455
 
What to say:     
“I am a constituent of Rep./Sen. ________ and am calling to urge him/her 
to take immediate action on the Mercury Products Bill (H.5112) as soon as 
it comes back from the Governor so that the clock does not run out on the 
bill.  Rep./Sen. ____ should do all s/he can to make sure the bill is 
finally enacted this session.  Please have him/her contact me and let me 
know what action s/he took this week to help enact the mercury bill.”
 
You can find out who your legislators are by calling 617-727-2828 or 
visiting www.wheredoivotema.com
 
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Leise at 
617-338-8131 x204, ljones at cleanwater.org or Elizabeth at 617-338-8131 
x203, esaunders at cleanwater.org
 
Thanks for your help!

Sincerely,
Leise Jones
 
Background information:
 
The bill:
H-5112, An Act Relative to Mercury Management, sponsored by Representative 
Douglas Petersen (D-Marblehead) and Senator Susan Tucker (D-Andover), will 
phase out the use of certain mercury-containing products that have safer 
alternatives (such as thermostats and electrical switches). It will 
require manufacturers of mercury-containing products (including 
automobiles) to set up collection programs to keep discarded products out 
of the waste stream. It also requires light bulb manufacturers to educate 
the public about the mercury content and proper disposal of fluorescent 
light bulbs and provide grants to municipalities to set up collection 
programs for mercury-containing bulbs. 

The legislative process:
The Mercury Products Bill was passed unanimously by the House of 
Representatives on February 2nd and a slightly amended version was passed 
unanimously by the Senate on March 29th. A Conference Committee of six 
legislators, tasked with ironing out the differences between the bills, 
released the final language of the bill on Monday June 19th.  On July 5th 
the House and July 6th the Senate voted to enact it. The Governor has 10 
days to sign, send back with proposed amendments, or veto the bill.  After 
he takes action, the legislature will accept or reject his amendments and 
then re-enact the bill.  If they reject them then the bill returns to the 
Governor’s desk and he has 10 more days to sign or veto the bill.  If he 
vetoes it, the legislature can override his veto with a 2/3 majority vote 
and then the bill becomes law.  All of this must be completed by July 31st 
when the legislature adjourns.  We can not let the clock run out!

Mercury: 
Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that has been linked to learning 
disabilities and developmental delays in children, as well as damage to 
the heart, nervous system and kidneys in adults. Mercury enters the 
environment via waste incinerators, pollution from power plants, chlorine 
production facilities and other sources. In Massachusetts a large source 
of air emissions is the states’ 5 largest incinerators, which together 
emit 587 pounds of mercury a year according to DEP data. Forty-five states 
have issued advisories warning sensitive populations about the dangers of 
eating mercury-contaminated fish, and in 2004, the FDA and the EPA advised 
women of childbearing age and young children to avoid shark, swordfish, 
king mackerel and tilefish, and to limit consumption of canned albacore 
tuna and fresh tuna to 6 oz. per week. 



__________________________________________________________
Leise Jones 
Clean Water Action 
Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow 
262 Washington Street, Room 301
Boston, MA  02108
Ph: 617/338-8131 X204 Fax: 617/338-6449 
ljones at cleanwater.org
www.healthytomorrow.org
___________________________________________________________