Nov 8 - McClatchy-Tribune Business News Formerly Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Greg Edwards Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va.

Reduction of mercury and other emissions from electric power plants in Virginia is the goal of a law passed this year by the General Assembly.

The state Department of Environmental Quality is accepting public comment on regulations being developed to implement the portion of the law dealing with limitations on mercury emissions.

The law requires DEQ to adopt the federal Clean Air mercury rule and also requires that the agency adopt a state-specific rule to control mercury emissions. The law says the state rule should vary with the size of the power plant being regulated.

The DEQ board specifically wants to know if part of the allowed mercury emissions should be set aside for public-health considerations and whether part should be set aside for new sources of emissions, particularly renewable energy sources.

The law and the proposed regulations can be viewed at the DEQ Web site at www.deq.virginia.gov. Search for mercury, air and permitting.

Comments must be submitted byto Mary E. Major, environmental program manager, Office of Air Regulatory Development, Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218 or by e-mail to memajor@deq.virginia.gov.