Thanks to all of you who contacted the Governor about this issue!


For Immediate Release For More Information:
Tuesday, April 13, 2004 Matt Paul, 515-281-0173

Governor's Statement on Air Quality Veto

DES MOINES - Governor Tom Vilsack released the following statement today
after vetoing House File 2523, an Act providing for the regulation of air
quality, and making penalties applicable.

"Early in the session, I made clear to legislators that any air quality bill
must strike a balance between adequately protecting the health of Iowans,
protecting the environment, and ensuring the continued viability of the
livestock industry.  House File 2523 does not take this balanced approach.
This bill would not have adequately protected the health of Iowans, it would
have set too lenient a standard that would have undermined the credibility
of Iowa's livestock industry, and it would have abandoned an important part
of the state's authority to regulate ambient air quality standards.  For
these reasons, I am not able to approve this bill.

"Although the Legislature did not pass a sufficient air quality bill this
session, our administration will take action to protect Iowa's air quality.
I have directed the Department of Natural Resources to move forward with
establishing an administrative standard, monitoring, and developing best
management practices.  I believe the Department of Public Health has
developed a balanced recommendation for hydrogen sulfide at 30 parts per
billion over a 60-minute average, allowing each livestock operation to
exceed the limit seven times on an annual basis.  An air quality standard at
this level will protect the health of Iowans and maintain a healthy
livestock industry, and I urge the Environmental Protection Commission to
give serious consideration to this recommendation."

"Iowa is dependent upon a successful livestock industry, but our state
should respect and protect our land, air, and water.  Even as we maintain
the economic opportunities of our livestock industry, we have a
responsibility to maintain the quality of life and health security of those
Iowans who live in communities nearby."


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