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E-M:/ More on Bush attack on Clean Air Act

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From: "Walke, John" <jwalke@nrdc.org>
Subject: FW: NRDC: Independent Panel Rips Bush Air Pollution Moves
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 13:24:12 -0400
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Thread-Topic: NRDC: Independent Panel Rips Bush Air Pollution Moves
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 > FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 >
 > Independent Nat> '> l Academy of Public Administration Issues
 > Major Challenge to Bush Administration Air Pollution Policies
 >
 > Americans> '>  Heath Hurt by Rule Changes and Loopholes, Report Says;
 > Calls for Strengthening & Reform of > "> New Source Review> ">  Provisions
 >
 > Contacts: John Walke, 202/289-6868 or Jon Coifman at 202/289-2404.
 >
 >
 > WASHINGTON (April 21, 2003) - A new report issued today by an 
independent, congressionally appointed body delivers a stunning critique of 
the central elements of Bush administration air pollution policy. Gaping 
loopholes created or expanded by the Bush administration are adversely 
affecting Americans> '>  health, according to the new analysis released 
today by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA).
 >
 > "> This is a verdict from a neutral body tasked by Congress to evaluate 
EPA actions representing core elements of the Bush administration air 
pollution plan,> ">  said John Walke, attorney and Clean Air director at 
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). > "> What they found is these 
policies are hurting public health. This report is a major rebuke to the 
Bush administration> '> s campaign to turn the Clean Air Act into a 
loophole bonanza for industry.> ">
 >
 > The NAPA report assails Bush administration efforts undermining a legal 
provision called New Source Review (NSR), which is the main public health 
safeguard that requires power plants and other industrial polluters that 
are > "> grandfathered> ">  from existing emissions limits to meet modern 
pollution standards whenever facilities are overhauled or upgraded in a way 
that would increase pollution.
 >
 > NAPA is an independent, congressionally chartered organization dedicated 
to improving the performance of governance systems-the network of public 
institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private companies that share in 
the implementation of public policy. Their complete report is online at 
www.napawash.org .
 >
 > The new criticisms echo charges by state officials, public health and 
environmental groups including NRDC that the Bush administration> '> s air 
pollution policies are failing to protect public health, weakening 
important clean air safeguards, and providing industry with multiple, 
expanding loopholes to avoid control of dangerous air pollution. Such 
policies put industry profits ahead of American public health.
 >
 > Key findings of the NAPA report:
 >
 > *     Criticizes multiple rule changes adopted by the Bush 
administration to weaken air quality and public health protections;
 >
 > *     Attributes thousands of premature deaths and acute and chronic 
illnesses to industry avoidance of NSR requirements, facilitated by 
inappropriate EPA loopholes;
 >
 > *     Says NSR rule changes proposed by the Bush administration would 
expand a loophole that industry has already abused. The report says the 
Bush proposal will not improve environmental protection, and will thwart 
Congressional intent;
 >
 > *     Condemns key features of the Bush administration> '> s air 
pollution legislation for power plants, including its refusal to control 
carbon pollution, the main cause of global warming.
 >
 > The NAPA report calls on Congress to require every large source of 
industrial pollution to clean up as soon as possible, but by no later than 
within the next 10 years. The expert panel recommends an end to this > "> 
grandfathering> ">  from modern pollution control measures based on 
findings that industry has abused the status, exploited loopholes in EPA> 
'> s regulations, and skirted pollution controls necessary to protect 
public health.
 >
 > "> The Bush administration has given these polluting companies one 
loophole after another to help them avoid the steps we need to protect 
ourselves from dangerous chemical emissions,> ">  Walke said. > "> It is 
simply inexcusable that power plants and factories built before the first 
Earth Day over 30 years ago still have not cleaned up their act. The Panel 
is to be commended for recognizing that these grandfathered behemoths have 
been too dirty for too long and are causing too much harm to the American 
people.> ">
 >
 > NRDC hailed NAPA> '> s conclusion that performance requirements for 
power plants should be comprehensive and should include requirements to 
control the heat-trapping carbon pollution that causes global warming. The 
power plant plan proposed by the Bush administration ignores global warming 
emissions, and weakens safeguards required under the Clean Air Act for 
other pollutants.
 >
 >
 > #    #    #
 >
 > The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, non-profit 
organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated 
to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 
more than 550,000 members nationwide, served from offices in New York, 
Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco. More information is available at 
NRDC> '> s Web site, www.nrdc.org.

==^==============

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