Congressional Ozone
Rule Letter Raises Questions
Environmental Group Defends EPA’s New 8-hour Standard
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For
Immediate Release:
July 29, 2003
|
Contacts:
David
Gard, MEC: 517-487-9539
|
LANSING—The Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) today
strongly defended proposed tougher clean air standards in
response to the 17-member Michigan Congressional delegation’s
letter made public Monday expressing concern about a new rule
that would give the public more protection from heavy ozone
smog.
“The
letter suggests serious foot-dragging on moving ahead with
the new 8-hour ozone rule. Our members of congress need to
be clear about their positions on this important issue,”
said MEC President Lana Pollack. “They have thousands
of constituents who suffer from asthma, heart disease and
chronic bronchitis who will be harmed if these rules are not
fully implemented.
“A
lot of these members have good records on clean air and I
would be alarmed and disappointed to learn that any of them
would put the interests of the worst polluters ahead of public
health.”
The EPA
first issued the proposed rule, known as the 8-hour ozone
standard, during the Clinton Administration because scientific
evidence shows that measuring ozone levels in one hour increments
under the current method does not protect the public, particularly
children, from the adverse health effects caused by heavy
ozone smog. It is slated to go into effect in 2004.
The 1972
Clean Air Act requires that the EPA air rules be based on
standards that protect public health with an adequate margin
of safety. Clear air rules are also required to be periodically
updated to reflect the latest science. Heavy polluting industries,
led by the coal and coal burning power industries including
Michigan’s DTE and Consumers Energy companies –
and often joined by the auto industry – have been close
allies of the Bush Administration in a number of attacks on
the Clean Air Act. All of these efforts center on avoiding
better pollution controls that would result in cleaner air.
“I’m
sick of hearing the patently stupid argument that Michigan’s
children are suffering from Chicago’s dirty air,”
said Pollack. “Where in the world do they think Michigan’s
pollution goes? To Mars? Everyone’s pollution needs to
be cleaned up. The dirty air is costing kids their health,
older people their lives and all of us a fortune in unnecessary
hospital costs.”
MEC has
sent a letter to Michigan’s U.S. Senators and Representatives,
explaining the need for implementing the new air standards
and asking them to clarify their individual positions on the
matter.
To see
the Michigan congressional delegation letter go to: http://www.house.gov/hoekstra/EPALetter.pdf
