Bush pushes ‘Clear Skies’

WASHINGTON – The White House plans to push Congress to retool the nation’s air quality laws early next year, according to administration and industry officials.

The move has alarmed environmentalists, who fear that President Bush’s “Clear Skies” proposal – which has not moved in Congress since he unveiled it in 2002 – would undercut existing federal standards more than the administration’s pending plan to revise pollution controls through regulation.

Over the weekend, administration officials told Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Mike Leavitt to delay issuing the Clean Air Interstate Rule, a proposal to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide in 28 states that either fail to meet national air quality standards or produce pollution that ends up in other states.

Leavitt, whom Bush chose Monday to head the Department of Health and Human Services, had promised to issue the rules this month, with the goal of cutting nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide pollution by 70 percent sometime after 2015.

In March, the EPA expects to finalize proposed regulations to curb mercury emissions by 70 percent over the same time period.

Now Bush hopes to focus his attention on Congress, which has been deadlocked for years on the question of air quality. Bolstered by a larger Senate GOP majority, the administration hopes it can pass legislation to establish a nationwide cap-and-trade system that would allow companies to buy and sell pollution credits.

James Connaughton, who chairs the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said passing Clear Skies represents one of Bush’ s “top clean-air, clean-energy priorities for next year.” Although the EPA will continue to work on new air quality rules, Connaughton said, the administration would prefer legislation because “it applies nationwide and will have greater overall reductions and benefits.”

Electric utility operators, who are responsible for 22 percent of the nation’s nitrogen oxide and 68 percent of its sulfur dioxide pollution, said Monday that they prefer a legislative approach over a new set of federal rules.

“No set of regulations, no matter how well crafted, can provide the same degree of certainty for business and the environment as sensible legislation,” said Thomas Kuhn, president of the Edison Electric Institute. “Unfortunately, any new regulations almost inevitably will be delayed by litigation, perpetuating uncertainty for power companies and hindering air quality improvements.”

But several environmental advocates said the administration is undermining public health by delaying the interstate rule and pressing for legislation that, they said, would make it easier for companies to continue polluting. Clear Skies would represent the most sweeping changes in the Clean Air Act since 1990.

The bill, which Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman James Inhofe hopes to put to a committee vote in February, would postpone deadlines for meeting public health standards on smog and fine-particle soot from 2009 to 2015 and would exempt affected smokestacks from “new source review” requirements that require plants to install stricter pollution controls when they upgrade their equipment.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Skylar Maldonado, 2, runs through the water at Pacific Rim Plaza’s Splash Fountain, one of the newer features add to the Port of Everett waterfront on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
CEO: Port of Everett pushes forward, despite loomimg challenges from tariffs

CEO Lisa Lefeber made the remarks during the annual port report Wednesday.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Stock photo
Foundation raised over $55,000 to pay for student school supplies in Stanwood-Camano.
Stanwood area foundation raises more than $55,000 for school supplies

A month-long campaign exceeded its goal to help support elementary students in the Stanwood-Camano School District.

District 1 candidates talk financial priorities, student needs

Three newcomers — Carson Sanderson, Arun Sharma and Brian Travis — are eyeing the vacant seat on the district’s board of directors.

Top, from left: Bill Wheeler, Erica Weir and Mason Rutledge. Bottom, from left: Sam Hem, Steven Sullivan.
Candidates seek open District 1 seat in crowded race

Five people are aiming to take the open seat left after current council member Mary Fosse announced she would not run for reelection.

Pia Sampaga-Khim, right, and Jana Rafi, left, demonstrate how a patient check in might go in the Snohomish County Health Department’s new Health on Wheels Van on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New federal DEI restrictions on County Health Department funding spurs hiring halt

12 positions were paused for fear of unsustainable funding.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.