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Show ~ - ~ \ /''/!'Ii\\·,\ ···•1tpM•1t'1' iffimmim =:--:: millU ITliilli Congress Extends Clean Air Deadlines Although the 100th Congress failed to enact comprehensive clean air legislation last year, key victories, scored during the first session's final weeks, may have helped clear the way for passage in 1988. With little hope of timely action on clean air legislation stalled in the House, legislators hastily crafted and approved amendments to exterid the December 31, 1987 deadline for meeting air quality standards. Legislators hope the e:xtension \\rill provide the time necessary to approve a more comprehensive clean air bill. Under the 1970 Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set health standards for major air pollutants including carbon monoxide and ozone, the main components of urban smog. Areas that failed to achieve those standards would face construction bans and loss of federal grant money. EPA reported late last year that 60-70 cities would miss the New Year's deadline. Passage of the House extension was not Vtithout a battle between two longtime foes on the clean air front-chairman of the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment, Henry A. Waxman (D CA) and chairman of the full Committee on Energy and Commerce, John D. Dingell (D MI). On December 3, Representative Murtha (D PA), supported by Dingell, offered an amendment to the continuing appropriations resolution, to suspend sanctions for 21 months. The amendment, which would have relieved pressure to pass a comprehensive bill before the 1988 elections, was defeated. In its place, House members approved a substitute offered by Representative Conte (R !\'Y) and backed bY Subcommittee Chainnan Waxman. The Conte/Waxman amendment, which passed by a wide margin, extends the deadline through August 31, 1988. The vote, a significant victory for Waxman, marked the first time since 1982 that clean air legislation has been considered on the House floor. Emironmentalists hope Waxman 's victory will break the stalemate between Waxman and Dingell that has repeatedly stalled clean air reform efforts. In the Senate, a successful eleventh hour effort to temporarily suspend sanctions was led by clean air advocate George Mitchell (D ME). Senator Mitchell offered an eight month extension amendment to the continuing appropriations resolution on December 11, 1987. While cities can now breathe a short sigh of relief, the pressure is on Congress to act decisively on clean air legislation. In the absence of congressional guidance, EPA plans to extend the attainment deadline until 1996. Sanction reprieves would be granted for cities that achieve annual 3 percent reductions in pollution levels. The plan has been harshly criticized by members of Congress and environmentalists, including the League. Attention is focused on the Senate, which may soon consider a clean air bill, S.1894, approved by the Environment and Public Works Committee last October. The bill, also introduced by Mitchell, is strongly supported by the League. The bill's provisions would: :::i mandate reductions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, the main precursors of acid rain ::, strengthen regulation of toxic air pollutants :::i require adoption of pollution reduction strategies to help nonattainment cities meet current standards ::, regulate air emissions and disposal of ash waste from municipal incinerators. The bill faces formidable opposition on the Senate floor, where committee staff predict a heated battle. Central among the bill's foes is Majority Leader Robert W. Byrd (D WV) who strongly opposes the acid rain prO\isions. As majority leader, Byrd will determine when and if the bill ·will receiYe floor consideration. Environmentalists anticipate a barrage of weakening amendments dwing Senate debate. At RH press time, a date for floor action had not been set. What You Can Do Contact your senators and tell them that you support S.1894 without weakening amendments. Urge them to act quickly to bring the bill up for floor action. YESI I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE L W. V. ---------------------ADDRESS -------------------NAME PHONE_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Send to: league~ Women Voters, 3804 tighlend Dr. SLC, VT 81106 Pleau checlc beck of VOTERforfeea. -3- March 1988 |
