>
> >     The right to breath clean air is something all
> citizens should be
> guaranteed.  Poor air quality has negative
> consequences for the health of
> humans and the environment.  Diminished air quality
> has lead to a such
> negative effects as asthma, acid rain, global
> warming and a general
> decline in the standard of living in some areas.
>
>       The Clean Air Act has played an important role in
> counteracting air
> pollution.  This law sets health based standards for
> air quality,
> specifies emissions limits for pollutants, phases
> out use of
> ozone-depleting chemicals and outlines timetables
> for local, state and
> federal authorities to enact and enforce these
> standards.  Unfortunately,
> the Bush Administration has undermined this bill by
> weakening its
> enforcement and launching new initiatives in
> Congress, such as the "Clear
> Skies" initiative, which will undermine the scope
> and effect of the Clean
> Air Act.  I oppose the Administration's "Clear
> Skies" plan because I feel
> it doesn't adequately limit greenhouse gas
> emissions.  Instead, I believe
> a more stringent cap should be placed on carbon
> dioxide emissions as well
> as expediting the reduction of sulfur dioxide and
> mercury.  Clear evidence
> demonstrates these chemicals have negative effects
> on public health, even
> in small amounts, and the public welfare should not
> be compromised by
> delaying stringent and reasonable controls on these
> substances.
>       I believe improving air quality hinges upon
> developing renewable
> resources that reduce polluting emissions.
> Improving air quality through
> cleaner burning fuels such as ethanol, and biodiesel
> is a win-win
> situation for Iowa's economy and environment.  We
> can also expand the use
> of clean, renewable electricity sources such as
> wind, solar, geothermal
> power and abundant biomass crops.  We can improve
> energy efficiency in
> industry and in our homes.  We can support
> development of hydrogen
> fuel-cell cars, which send only water out of the
> tailpipe.  We also need
> to encourage agricultural practices that remove
> carbon dioxide from the
> atmosphere.
>
>       While short term gains can be made through the
> enforcement of the Clean
> Air Act, I believe the long term solution to cleaner
> air is found in the
> development of alternative sources of energy.  I am
> optimistic this two
> pronged strategy will improve the health of our
> nation's citizens and
> environment.
>
>       Again, thanks for sharing your views with me.
> Please don't hesitate to
> let me know how you feel on any issue that concerns
> you.
>
>
>                                       Sincerely,
>
>
>
>                                       Tom Harkin
>                                       United States

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