Press Release: Clear the Air 12/17/2004

For Immediate Release:
Friday, December 17, 2004

CONTACT:
Dave Bard, 202.778.4551 (o); 202.486.4426 (c)

STATEMENT OF ANGELA LEDFORD, DIRECTOR, CLEAR THE AIR ON EPA'S FINE PARTICLE (PM 2.5) AIR QUALITY DESIGNATIONS

"Today, EPA is officially declaring that hundreds of counties in the United States suffer from air that is unsafe to breathe. The pollution that is literally killing people every year is coming from old, dirty power plants that this administration continues to let off the hook.

"It is outrageous that the Bush administration could, with the stroke of a pen, deliver healthy air to virtually all of these areas by strengthening and finalizing the Clean Air Interstate Rule. Instead of doing that, President Bush is spending his political capital on a scheme that would weaken the country's clean air laws, leaving us breathing dirtier air longer.

"The White House is turning its back on these communities by trying to roll back clean air protections already on the books, preferring instead to please its powerful industry friends."

(BACKGROUND)
* Clear Skies Initiative -
http://www.cleartheair.org/fact/bush_airpollutionplan_factsheet.pdf
* Fine particulate designation "watch list" - http://cta.policy.net/documents/watchlist.pdf

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