Some in Senate Seek to Change Mercury Rule

By MICHAEL JANOFSKY

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 - With a deadline for action approaching, senators from both parties rallied support on Thursday for a resolution that would kill the Bush administration's proposed rule to limit mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Appearing at a midday news conference, the senators said the rule was written to satisfy the utility industry and would take too long to produce benefits, causing serious health problems for thousands of people, especially pregnant women and young children living near the plants.

The senators are trying to send the rule back to the Environmental Protection Agency for reconsideration through a rarely successful procedure known as the Congressional Review Act, which allows lawmakers to challenge agency regulations through a resolution that is guaranteed a floor vote.

The deadline for the vote is Monday, although Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee, the majority leader, said other issues might force him to extend it by several days.