FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2005
CONTACT: Brian O'Malley, 202-675-6279


       Sierra Club: Clean Air Takes Center Stage In Senate Tomorrow
   Statement by Nat Mund, Senior Washington Representative, Sierra Club


Washington, DC - - Tomorrow, a key Senate Committee will take up
legislation with profound implications for America's clean air.  The Bush
administration and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW)
Chairman James Inhofe have made it very clear that they would like to
replace the current Clean Air Act with something more favorable to big
energy companies.

Last week, the public learned just how far Senator Inhofe is willing to go
to help polluters when several reports revealed that the Oklahoma Senator
requested tax records from the Association of Local Air Pollution Control
Officials and the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program
Administrators.  Both highly respected organizations had testified against
the bill proposed by Senator Inhofe and the Bush administration.

In response to tomorrow's scheduled mark up by the Senate Environment and
Public Works Committee, the Sierra Club issued the following statement:

"The existing Clean Air Act is one of the most successful public health
protections in U.S. history.  However, it is no secret that the Bush
administration and Senator Inhofe want to rewrite air pollution protections
to favor big energy companies.

"The radical plan being considered would allow 2-3 times more soot, smog
and mercury pollution than strong enforcement of the current law - and
delay cleanup for a decade longer.  Additionally, it lets unseen market
forces - rather than universal public health standards - decide whether
communities will get any relief from dirty air.

"We are very concerned that Senator Inhofe has resorted to intimidation of
respected organizations that oppose his plan.  Not only should the
Environment and Public Works Committee reject Inhofe's radical assault on
clean air, but it should also send a strong message that these tactics will
not be tolerated.

"The best way to achieve the clean air standards that Americans want and
deserve continues to be the strong enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
Members of the Environment and Public Works Committee would be wise to take
the long view when casting their votes, and ask themselves 'Is it better to
move forward with an existing program with a track record of success than
open the door to a high risk scheme?'

"Thirty years of clean air progress shows that enforcing the Clean Air Act
protects public health. It makes no sense to turn our back on success."

                                   # # #

Note: Nat Mund is available for comment on tomorrow's mark up. Please call
Brian O'Malley at 202-675-6279 to schedule an interview.

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