I hope Senator Harkin doesn't use the same science that the Bush Administration has used in proposing their "Clear Skies" program. An Inspector General Report that was released today reveals that the Bush administration rigged the system to benefit polluters when coming up with its mercury rule for coal-fired power plants. Rather than basing its decision on good science, the administration stacked the deck to give its industry friends what they wanted. View a copy of the Inspector General report here: http://www.epa.gov/oig/reports/2005/20050203-2005-P-00003.pdf Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s recent book, "Crimes Against Nature", is enough to knock your socks off. Jane Clark ----- Original Message ----- From: Peggy Murdock <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 1:12 PM Subject: Re: Senator Tom Harkin on Bush's "Clear Skies" program > This email says the sender "feels" that the clear skies initiative will not > protect our air quality. I would like to see him do better than that. > > Feelings and belief is not enough. Surely he has consulted science.Where's > that science? > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Charles Winterwood" <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 3:43 PM > Subject: Fwd: Senator Tom Harkin on Bush's "Clear Skies" program 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 led 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. ....the Administration's "Clear Skies" plan...doesn't adequately limit greenhouse gas emissions...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. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]