CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Duke Energy's newest coal-fired power generator will pump more than five million tons of carbon dioxide into the North Carolina sky every year.

Environmentalists worried about global warming have adopted a new strategy. Their fight now centers on a few dozen pounds of toxic mercury the plant will emit. Mercury can damage the developing brains of fetuses and very young children.

Duke is building a $2.4 billion coal plant at its existing Cliffside Steam Station in southern Rutherford County.

Duke spokeswoman Marilyn Lineberger says the company plans to use scrubbers and filters that will reduce mercury emissions by 90 percent at the new Cliffside unit. Construction started last month.

Environmentalists say technology exists that can reduce emissions by up to 98 percent.