It's too bad the major accomplishment of the legislative session isn't getting nearly as much attention as the stadium bills.

What accomplishment? Well, how about the one that passed both the House and Senate unanimously and was signed by Gov. Pawlenty yesterday. It's the bill that would cut mercury emissions from coal burning power plants by 90 percent over the next nine years, faster than federal law requires. Even MPR gave it just a quick hit yesterday:

The law applies to four Xcel Energy power generation units in Stillwater and Becker and two power generation units at Minnesota Power's Clay Boswell plant in Cohasset.

Paula Maccabee with Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota says the new law is a victory for citizens who have put pressure on elected officials for years to get this legislation passed.

"I think there was an enormous groundswell of support from the community. And when that happens it brings the parties to the table," she said.

Once the law fully takes effect it's expected to cut mercury emissions by nearly 1,200 pounds per year.

Twelve hundred pounds of mercury a year? That's a lot. Citizens got fired up because they thought government and industry were moving too slowly. The press got wind of it and did some tough reporting. Government and industry actually stepped up and got the job done. Haven't we all been complaining the past few years that things don't work in Minnesota anymore? Isn't this the way it's supposed to work? But there was no controversy so the signing itself didn't make a very good news story.

Oh well, I guess we'd rather talk about stadiums. The White Sox are in town tonight. The forecast? Seventy percent chance of rain, 40 degrees and north wind at 10-15 mph. Sounds like a great night for outdoor baseball. Are we sure a new baseball stadium shouldn't have a roof?

Aron Kahn at the Pioneer Press reports the stadium conference committee appears to be loaded with Twins stadium supporters:

The House and Senate picked their starting lineups Thursday for a pivotal stadium conference committee that will favor the Twins' original plan for a Hennepin County sales tax, likely without a referendum.

"We're going to build a Twins ballpark,'' predicted Rep. Brad Finstad, R-New Ulm, sponsor of the House's Twins bill and chief House negotiator on the conference committee.

The odds on a Vikings stadium were less good. None of the House negotiators are sponsors of a Vikings bill, meaning the team won't have a champion on the House side of the table.

"I'm frustrated as all hell,'' said Rep. Andy Westerberg, R-Coon Rapids, after learning that Republican Speaker Steve Sviggum didn't appoint him to the committee. Westerberg is sponsor of a Vikings bill that was passed by one House committee.

Over in the Senate they passed the tax bill Thursday night that includes the sports memorabilia tax to fund the Gopher football stadium. Gov. Pawlenty and House Republicans still don't like it.

I spent last night at the MPR Forum watching MPR's Jeff Horwich and crew put on their show called the Loop. It's kind of a cross between the Tonight Show and Midday. And it was good. Tune in to MPR at 9 tonight to hear it.