1.   CandP has invested heavily in plant to reduce its mercury emissions.

2.   And federal regulators have yet to set limits on mercury emissions.

3.   Atlanta-based Southern Co., which has many coal-burning power plants, tops the list for mercury emissions.

4.   But utility officials say existing technology can remove less than half of mercury emissions before costs start to soar.

5.   Coal-burning power plants are the biggest source of mercury emissions, though fluorescent light bulbs and batteries are also culprits.

6.   Efforts are underway in the region to slash mercury emissions from incinerators, power plants, manufacturing plants, and other sources.

7.   Environmental groups said the end of the scientific debate over power plants was long overdue, noting that they were the last large uncontrolled source of mercury emissions.

8.   For several years, Democrats in the Assembly have proposed legislation that would curb mercury emissions at power plants, but those bills have never passed.

9.   However, they said the protest letter overlooks major progress in other areas, such as reducing mercury emissions from trash incinerators.

10.   In April, acting Governor Jane Swift signed legislation designed to limit mercury emissions in older power plants.