Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) December 18, 2002 Wednesday SECTION: Pg. a4 LENGTH: 212 words HEADLINE: Oppose Bush's efforts to gut Clean Air Act BYLINE: DR. CHARLES WINTERWOOD BODY: Chair, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club, 1555 Montrose Terrace The Bush administration recently approved the most significant rollback of our clean-air protections in the history of the Clean Air Act. This action was taken despite the serious public-health impacts due to air-pollution exposure. In effect, these rule changes will gut a key clean-air enforcement program that prevents the emissions of millions of tons of smog and soot pollution each year. Each year, smog and soot in our air triggers millions of asthma attacks, and tens of thousands of premature deaths. Power plants emit more smog and soot-forming pollutants than any other industry. Unfortunately, President Bush's new rules will virtually eliminate enforcement of the Clean Air Act for the oldest and dirtiest power plants, refineries and other industrial facilities, making these problems even worse. Americans need stronger enforcement of clean-air protections, not rollbacks. But power companies, oil refiners and other industry groups have hired high-priced lobbyists to push these rule changes. It is also anticipated there will be legislative proposals to weaken the Clean Air Act. Our senators should do everything in their power to prevent these rollbacks of the Clean Air Act. Erin E. Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]