FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2002

Contact: Josh Freed
(202) 225-4431
 
DENVER, CO – U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) welcomed news from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Denver metro area’s air quality is so improved it now meets critical federal clean air standards. She warned, however, that Bush administration proposals to weaken the Clean Air Act threaten the metro area’s clean air improvements and could increase the impact of dramatic climate change.
“The dramatic reduction of air pollution in Denver is a great victory for the health and environment of the city and for all of its residents. Because of this, the days of the Denver brown cloud have greatly diminished,” stated Rep. DeGette. "However, just as we’ve attained these goals, the Bush Administration’s Clear Skies Initiative and other air quality positions risk negating these gains by failing to address dangerous air toxins, increase coal fired power plant emissions, and backing down on promises to regulate carbon dioxide.”

The EPA has yet to address the issues of air toxics in the Denver metro area, which has high levels of benzene and mercury and other airborne chemicals. Additionally, the Bush Administration is threatening the Clean Air Act’s standards limiting coal-fired power plant emissions by gutting the New Source Review Program. The program requires certain power plants that substantially upgrade their equipment or expand to comply with tougher clean air rules. In many instances, the administration has allowed power plants to operate without complying with these stricter standards. Unfortunately, President Bush has also succumbed to special interest pressure from the oil and gas industry and reneged both on his campaign promises to regulate carbon dioxide and to include the United States in world discussions on global warming.

Rep. DeGette has cosponsored legislation that establishes strong multi-pollutant strategies with mandatory caps and limits for air toxins, including carbon dioxide, to clean up power plants as intended by the Clean Air Act.

"It is important that as our local communities make important strides in improving the air we breathe, that the federal government help, not hinder, the ultimate goal of allowing Americans to breathe air without worry for their health and reduce the impacts of greenhouse gases on our global environment," Rep. DeGette stated.

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