From this morning¹s Des Moines Register, on New Source Review.

Lyle Krewson

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Editorials

Editorial: Clean air: Cause for concern

Rules changes aren't all bad, but they raise a red flag.

By Register Editorial Board
09/04/2003
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The Bush administration's relaxation of clean-air rules is not all bad, but
it could increase pollution. It raises a red flag because of the president's
record of eroding environmental protections.

As a result of the rules change, electrical-power plants and other
industries will be allowed to replace up to 20 percent of the equipment at a
facility annually without installing up-to-date pollution-control devices.
Under the old rules, replacing equipment triggered a permitting process that
often led to mandatory installation of such devices.

The pluses? Utilities will be able to make improvements at a lower cost,
which could increase efficiency and hold down rates. And utilities should be
able to more quickly shore up the nation's power grid network, a more
pressing priority since the Aug. 14 blackout.

The drawbacks? Some companies may avoid the best technology to control
pollution in order to hold down short-term expenses.

Smoke-stack industries still will have to meet permit limits for certain
pollutants, however, which should help keep them in line longterm - if those
limits are not loosened as the administration proposes.

Supporters of the rules change say the old rules discouraged companies from
updating facilities. They also say that other rules in place to control
pollution - such as soot and acid rain - are adequate. That is not
reassuring to states and environmental-advocacy groups that plan to fight
the administration.

Their concerns include the effects on people with asthma and other health
conditions. Iowa is not expected to see air pollution worsen appreciably,
but pollution from power plants in the Midwest drifts east, posing serious
problems for states from Illinois to New York.

Another worry is whether the administration will be lax in enforcement of
other clean-air rules.

It could be three years before the rules change is fully in place. The
change is in part intended to clear up confusion over what is normal,
routine maintenance and what is a more extensive upgrade.

It gives utilities and other industries more clarity over what they must do
- with the possibility of increasing pollution.

On balance, the change appears to favor industry at the risk of public
health. 

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Lyle R. Krewson
Sierra Club Conservation Organizer
6403 Aurora Avenue #3
Des Moines, IA 50322-2862

515/276-8947
515/238-7113 - cel

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