Reply #9: when will this stop! [View All]

[rodeodance]

http://news.mongabay.com/2006/0403-nrdc.html



......The rule was drafted during the tenure of William Wehrum, acting head of EPA's air office, and would reverse longstanding agency policy. The rule also seeks to go much further than a controversial 2003 approach sought by Wehrum's predecessor, Jeffery Holmstead.

President Bush has nominated Wehrum to succeed Holmstead. His confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is scheduled for Wednesday.

"Any nominee willing to weaken existing Clean Air Act protections to allow more cancer-causing pollution does not deserve the privilege of leading EPA's clean air programs," said Walke. "Mr. Wehrum should disavow this proposal, explain his role in its preparation and tell the American people whether this is how he plans to protect the air we breathe and the food we eat."

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to impose standards for 188 different toxic substances emitted by industrial sources, ranging from benzene and asbestos to chlorine and formaldehyde. The draft rule would loosen restrictions on these toxic substances emitted by some 174 industrial sectors.