[GBlist] Another good reason for green building...

["Bion D. Howard" <bdhoward@ix.netcom.com>]

Power is going to get even dirtier....
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>>>>
> U.S. set to unveil relaxed clean-air rules 
> Environmental groups decry move; lawsuit expected 
> By William L. Watts, CBS.MarketWatch.com
> Last Update: 2:59 PM ET Nov. 22, 2002 
>
>
> WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- The Bush administration was expected Friday to formally announce relaxed pollution rules that would allow older, coal-fired power plants and refineries to more easily expand operations, according to a news report.
>
> The administration announced its intention to relax the rules earlier this year. 
>
> The changes will "encourage emissions reductions," EPA Administrator Christie Whitman said in remarks prepared for delivery this afternoon, as reported by the Associated Press. Whitman said the old rules "have deterred companies from implementing projects that would increase energy efficiency and decrease air pollution."
>
> Utilities, refiners and other energy firms have long lobbied for easing of so-called new source review, or NSR, regulations, arguing that the provisions have hampered their ability to upgrade existing plants with equipment that would increase efficiency and reduce pollution levels.
>
> The changes have been expected since last year and have been vociferously opposed by environmental organizations and a grouping of Northeastern states, which have argued that relaxing the rules would undermine efforts to meet air-quality standards while also threatening increased incidence of asthma and other respiratory ailments. 
>
> "The loss of this program will mean thousands of premature deaths per year that could have been prevented," said Rebecca Stanfield of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
>
> The states were expected to immediately file a lawsuit challenging the new rules.
>
> Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., called on Whitman to resign from the EPA in protest.
>
> "Time and again, her advice has been overruled by a White House determined to gut commonsense environmental standards. Out of principle and protest, she should step down," said Lieberman, who chaired the Senate Clean Air Subcommittee in the 107th Congress.
>
> William L. Watts is a reporter for CBS.MarketWatch.com.
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