"A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Thursday introduced legislation aimed at slashing emissions of sulfur dioxide, mercury and nitrogen oxide from smokestacks including coal-fired power plants.

The measure, which has stalled in Congress in years past, also would set up nationwide trading systems for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution permits, its sponsors said.

But it does not tackle the much larger and controversial question of how to reduce carbon dioxide emissions blamed for climate change. Separate negotiations are underway on a greenhouse gas emissions bill."

Richard Cowan reports for Reuters February 4, 2010. [2]