Pelosi:
'Bush Administration Reversing More Than Three Decades of Bipartisan
Progress on Environment'
April 22,
2004
Washington,
D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following
statement today in celebration of Earth Day:
"On Earth Day, we look back over the past 35 years and celebrate
the successes of the environmental movement, but we must also look
ahead to meeting the environmental challenges we face today. We
have come a long way since the first Earth Day in 1970, but much
work remains to ensure that everyone has clean water to drink and
clean air to breathe.
"Ever so quickly, the Bush Administration is reversing more
than three decades of bipartisan progress on the environment. Just
this week, the Natural Resources Defense Council released a report
documenting the Administrations most recent actions to undermine
environmental protection. The report describes 150 assaults on our
environmental safeguards just since January 2003.
"When it comes to the environment, special interests trump
the public interest every time for the Bush Administration. The
Administration is undermining the Clean Air and Water Acts, abandoning
the polluter pays principle in Superfund, and trying to open the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling.
"The Administrations position on mercury pollution is
another prime example. Mercury is extremely toxic, especially for
children, but the Bush plan for addressing mercury pollution from
power plants protects utility companies, not children.
"On Earth Day 2004, we must dedicate ourselves to protecting
the environment. With innovative ideas, new technology, and priorities
that put people and the environment ahead of polluting special interests,
we can ensure a healthy future for our children."
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