WSJ reports Bush backs down on waiver for hi-polution/sulfur gas

[papau]

Seems the EPA Earth Day plot to weaken clean air laws has been tossed after Moveon's Mislead sent out emails telling the world about it!

Per the WSJ (Wall Street Journal), Bush - after talking it over with oil industry reps, will not have the EPA "temporarily ease restrictions on the sulfur content of gasoline." Per the WSJ, "A small group of gasoline importers had proposed such a move to allow them to import more gasoline and thus ease supply problems in the U.S. that are causing high gasoline prices."

A nice result from Mislead's exposing the fact that after saying on Earth Day 2002, "we should do more at the federal level" to deal with air pollution (1), the Bush Administration has invited oil executives to a meeting with Environmental Protection Agency officials to discuss reducing air pollution standards (conservation
measures to deal with high gas prices being rejected, the Wall Street Journal reports that the Bush Administration is meeting with oil executives to consider a plan to reduce pollution standards for gasoline (2). The plan, which would permit more dangerous sulfur toxins in the air, would cut only a nickel off the price of a gallon of gas - and not in every market. Meanwhile, sulfur levels in the air would be permitted to rise, increasing smog and potentially
raising the incidence of serious health problems. The EPA notes that sulfur has been associated with serious respiratory illness and asthma while also aggravating existing cardiovascular diseases (3).

From Mislead:

Of course, the president also has one other option to deal with the gas price crisis: instead of using the crisis to weaken environmental laws, he could simply pressure the Saudis to increase oil production. Last month the Saudis led the charge to reduce oil supplies and the result has been a major ncrease in American gas prices (4). And while Bob Woodward's new book eports that the Saudis pledged to increase production before the November 004, the president has so far refused to compel them to increase production
now (5). His refusal runs counter to his pledge as a candidate in 2000 to se the power of the White House to pressure oil-producing countries. As he aid, "the president of the United States must jawbone OPEC members to lower he price" (6).

Sources:
1. President Calls for Conservation and Stewardship on Earth Day,04/22/2002, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=30170.
2. Wall Street Journal, 4/21/04.US Environmental Protection Agency, ttp://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=30171.
4. "Saudi envoy plays nice with White House on oil supply", USA Today,04/02/2004, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=30172.
5. "Saudi Envoy Promised Bush a Drop in Oil Prices Ahead of Election", Boomberg News, 04/19/2004, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=30173.
6. "Fuel oil prices skyrocket in frigid New Hampshire; and candidates talk tough", CNN, 01/29/2000,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=30174.

[hatrack]

1. Gee, and just in time for Earth Day in an election year!

Wow, what a surprise!

Huh, I wonder what the Environmental Procrastination Agency will do on November 3rd, 2004, in the event of four more years of Chimpy. Any guesses?

[theoceansnerves]

2. i'd expect things like this to happen

bush and his epa throwing us a few bones to raise his F rating to a D- before election day.