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May 9, 1999
Contents:
Federal Energy Budget
1.) Prospects Bleak for Energy Efficiency Appropriations Bill
2.) Energy & Water Appropriations Bill May Cut Renewables Funding
3.) Science Committee May Hinder Efficiency, Renewables Programs
Electric Utility Restructuring
1.) White House Promotes Its Restructuring Proposal
2.) Rep. Largent to Introduce Republican Restructuring Bill
3.) EIA Finds Changes in Generating Ownership and Nuclear Output
4.) Churches Form Partnership to Promote Green Power
5.) Florida Power Investigates Green Power Options
Climate Change
1.) House Bill to Promote Early Credit for Emissions Reductions
2.) World Resources Institute Commits to CO2 Emissions Cuts
3.) Climate Articles Outline Threat of Global Warming Miscellaneous
1.) Gore Seeks to Include SUVs in Efficient Car R&D Program
2.) Y2K Fears Boost Solar Sales
3.) NRC Weakens Nuclear Plant Watch List Program
4.) "Atomic Train" TV Show Focuses on Radioactive Waste Accident
5.) Ex-CIA Director Woolsey Discusses Energy Vulnerability
6.) Cato Institute Thinks Fossil Fuels Are Sustainable
7.) Coalition Drafts Energy Survey for Presidential Candidates
FEDERAL ENERGY BUDGET
1.) Prospects Bleak for Energy Efficiency Appropriations Bill:
The 602-B allocations (i.e., share of the federal budget) for Fiscal Year 2000 are expected to be distributed to the House and Senate appropriations subcommittees this week. The House Interior Appropriations subcommittee, which oversees the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) energy efficiency and fossil fuel programs, is anticipating an allocation $1.5 or $1.6 billion below the FY'99 level. Consequently, there is speculation that Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH) and possibly other subcommittee chairs will not report out appropriations bills on the theory that they will not pass but instead will be wrapped up in an omnibus spending bill in late summer or early fall.
2.) Energy & Water Appropriations Bill May Cut Renewables Funding:
On Tuesday, May 25, the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee will markup its FY'00 funding bill which includes DOE's renewable energy and nuclear power budgets. Given current budget caps the subcommittee will be facing a 12% reduction from FY'99 enacted levels. Three weeks ago Senator Jeffords, Roth, Allard, and Bingaman circulated a "dear colleague" letter seeking signatures on a letter to Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM). The letter requests a 16%, or $62 million, increase in research and development programs for DOE's renewable energy programs. The letter currently has 43 signatures. A similar letter signed by 42 senators last year is believed to have made a significant difference on the renewables budget.
3.) Science Committee May Hinder Efficiency, Renewables Programs:
The House Science Committee unveiled two authorization bills, H.R.1655 and H.R. 1656, on May 3 that could adversely affect most DOE energy R&D and commercialization programs. It would authorize funding in FY'00 and FY'01 for DOE's renewable energy programs at roughly FY'99 appropriated levels (i.e., $316 million in FY'00 and $325 million in FY'01) -- levels substantially below those being sought by the White House for FY'00. It also includes language that would effectively micro-manage the federal labs, put restrictions on recipients of sole-source contracts from DOE, end federal funding for programs designed to achieve "incremental improvements" in existing technologies and potentially adversely affect the Clean Cities and appliance efficiency standards programs. The full committee is expected to act on the bill at a hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 13. The full text of the bills can be found at https://thomas.loc.gov.
ELECTRIC UTILITY RESTRUCTURING
1.) White House Promotes Its Restructuring Proposal:
According to Energy Central (May 3), DOE Secretary Bill Richardson reports that Energy Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and ranking member Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) in the Senate and Commerce Committee Chairman Tom Bliley (R-VA) and ranking member John Dingell (D-MI) in the House will introduce the Administration's restructuring bill. Richardson claims he is "meeting six members a day" to make passage of federal utility restructuring legislation possible. In particular, he is focusing on getting more Democrats in the Commerce Committee, in addition to Rep. Ed Markey (D- MA) to support federal legislation. Richardson also says he is urging the Senate Energy Committee to put the issue on its "markup schedule." However, Richardson says he would not support any stand-alone bill on reliability of service which some are speculating has a chance of moving this year -- particularly if there are service disruptions this summer.
2.) Rep. Largent to Introduce Republican Restructuring Bill:
Reuters (May 5) reports that Rep. Steve Largent (R-OK) has delayed introducing his own restructuring bill which many expect to become the basis of the Republican approach to utility restructuring. Largent says he is still shopping it around with other members and other groups, "making modifications." He now expects to introduce his plan within two weeks. The proposal is expected to follow closely a plan floated last spring by Largent and former Rep. Bill Paxon (R-NY). Democrats expect Largent to dispose of the Clinton renewables mandate, give states more flexibility in meeting a federal deregulation law, and junk White House ideas for the creation of anew power reliability board under control of the FERC.
3.) EIA Finds Changes in Generating Ownership and Nuclear Output:
In its new report, "Electric Power Annual 1998, Volume I," the Energy Information Administration reports that during 1998, the legislatures and/or public utility commissions in 18 states approved or implemented plans to move toward retail competition in their electricity markets. In response, 3% (or 23,397 MW) of the nation's total utility generating capability was sold to non- utility companies in 1998 so that the share of total industry capability owned by non-utilities rose from 9% to 12% (and to over 45% in California, Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts). Furthermore, the restarting of seven nuclear units in 1998 returned nuclear-powered generation to 674 billion kilowatt-hours, equal to the record level produced in 1996; in addition, the average capacity factor for all nuclear units increased from 71% in 1997 to 78% in 1998. The report can be found at https://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epav1/epav1_sum.html.
4.) Churches Form Partnership to Promote Green Power:
PRNewswire (April 27) reports that the North American Coalition on Religion and Ecology has formed a program "Greensmart Renewable Energy Project" with Commonwealth Energy Corporation to promote the benefits of green power. The Coalition is urging more than 30,000 religious faith organizations and other non-profit organizations in California to demonstrate their commitment to supporting the environment by switching to Commonwealth Energy which is registered as a renewable energy provider by the California Energy Commission. For details, contact Brian Gale at Commonwealth: 714-259-2547
5.) Florida Power Investigates Green Power Options:
The "St. Petersburg Times" (May 5) reports that, for the first time, the Florida Power Corporation is considering selling electricity made from solar and other renewable energy sources to residential customers are part of the electric utility's conservation efforts. The action comes in response to the urging of one of the state's more influential environmental groups, the Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation (LEAF). If state regulators give Florida Power the green light, the company will begin researching consumer interest in renewables as well as the availability of green power in the state. Solar power is the most obvious form of renewable energy available in Florida, but the company will also look into producing electricity from solid waste. Hydroelectric and geothermal energy have more limited potential. Presently, energy from renewable sources is negligible in the "Sunshine State." The company has set a deadline of December 31 to complete the study. If the response from market surveys is positive, Florida Power hopes to recruit 10,000 customers for its green energy program by 2004. Those who elect to participate will pay an additional charge to recover the utility's incremental cost to provide the renewable energy.
CLIMATE CHANGE
1.) House Bill to Promote Early Credit for Emissions Reductions:
"CongressDaily" (April 22) reports that Reps. Rick Lazio (R-NY) and Calvin Dooley (D-CA) are expected to introduce legislation shortly that would allow companies to receive credit for scaling back greenhouse gas emissions prior to Congress passing a law that mandates reductions. It would also permit companies to trade their emission reduction "credits" with companies that fail to cut emissions. In addition, it would include a provision like that in the Senate bill introduced by Senator John Chafee (R-RI) that would allow companies to receive credit for sequestering emissions. A Lazio aide said the bill is more pro-business and improves on the Senate version by enhancing the verification process for emission reduction.
2.) World Resources Institute Commits to CO2 Emissions Cuts:
Following a vote by its staff, the World Resources Institute has announced its commitment "to reduce its emissions of CO2 to zero or better by 2005" through reduced travel and paper use, more energy-efficient use of office equipment, and promotion of urban forestry and green power in the Washington, DC area. The group has already done an assessment of its CO2 emissions today and in 1990 with a goal of reducing its emissions to 7% below its 1990 levels by October 2000. By October 2005, WRI plans to reduce to zero net emissions through emissions reductions and offsets. Achieving this latter goal would be equivalent to keeping 300 cars off the road each year or saving more than 680 tons of coal annually. Further details can be found at https://www.wri.org.
3.) Climate Articles Outline Threat of Global Warming:
We received two lengthy articles on climate change in the distant past and the far future. The first is a 3-page May 3 story in the "Philadelphia Inquirer" which assumes that greenhouse gas emissions are finally stabilized by 2050 causing the climate in Philadelphia to be similar to that now found in Bangkok while broad sections of Florida and the Atlantic coast are submerged under sea water. The second is a 5-page article from the August 1998 issue of "Discover" magazine which is titled "The Greenhouse Extinction" and which begins: "Life disappeared almost completely 250 million years ago. Now the fossils of the victims tell a tale of hideous global warming." Let us know you would like us to fax you a copy of either article.
MISCELLANEOUS
1.) Gore Seeks to Include SUVs in Efficient Car R&D Program:
The "Wall Street Journal" (May 5) reports that following a meeting with V.P. Al Gore, top officials from General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Corp., and DaimlerChrysler had agreed to "consider" adding sport utility vehicles to the Partnership for New Generation Vehicles program. The joint industry- government PNGV research effort is currently focused on producing by 2004 a smaller car like Ford's Taurus -- but not SUVs-- that has roughly triple the gas- mileage efficiency as today's model. The federal government is investing about $240 million annually in the program. It is not clear whether the auto makers will agree to a goal of tripling the mileage or to a delivery date of 2004 for SUVs.
2.) Y2K Fears Boost Solar Sales:
The Associated Press (May 5) reports that solar electric companies nationwide are experiencing a "spike in sales attributed partly to people feeling Y2K jitters." Firms such as Solar Electric Systems of Kansas City note that Y2K has conveniently put solar on the radar screen for back-up power. For example, Golden Genesis Co. of Scottsdale, AZ reports that its sales were up 40% last year as several thousand more customers purchased solar systems; this year, sales are on track to increase another 70%. The company advertises 1,100-watt solar electric systems for $1,599 - enough to power lights, a refrigerator, entertainment systems, and a computer during short power outages.
3.) NRC Weakens Nuclear Plant Watch List Program:
The "Environment Network News" (May 5) reports that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will no longer issue its semi-annual "watch list" of the country's most troubled nuclear power plants. Public Citizen and the Nuclear Information & Resource Service report that it is being replaced by an annual list of plants of "agency and regional focus" -- i.e., plants where the NRC is investing additional resources to address existing safety problems. Further details can be found in a news release issued by Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy Project at https://www.citizen.org.
4.) "Atomic Train" TV Show Focuses on Radioactive Waste Accident:
On May 16-17, NBC will air a two-part miniseries, "Atomic Train," in which a train loaded with radioactive waste and one nuclear bomb careens out of control and ultimately explodes due largely to a string of human errors. Activists who have viewed the movie in advance have noted that "the movie is fiction but the threat is real." In a May 6 news release, the Safe Energy Communication Council (SECC) notes that reported rail accidents typically number roughly 2,500 a year. Furthermore, opening the proposed nuclear waste dump in Yucca Mountain, NV would entail the prospect of 100,000 shipments of radioactive materials being moved through 43 states over a 30- year period. SECC has also released an internal memo from the Nuclear Energy Institute outlining a "containment strategy" for the upcoming movie including the distribution of a DOE factsheet entitled "Transporting Radioactive Materials." SECC's news release and the NEI memo can be found at https://www.safeenergy.org or call Linda Pentz at 202-483-8491. A corresponding "organizer's packet" has been prepared by the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (202-328-0002).
5.) Ex-CIA Director Woolsey Discusses Energy Vulnerability:
In a recent on-line interview, former CIA director R. James Woolsey commented: "Cyberterrorism is only one of the ways in which our energy security could be threatened by terrorist actions. The best time to try to disrupt the electrical grid or fuel pipelines is probably next January 1st (because of the simultaneous Y2K problem), but it is a problem anytime. I think that one of the most useful things the country can do to reduce our vulnerability to terrorist actions (including disruptions of oil shipments from abroad) is to move away from reliance on hydrocarbons and toward reliance on carbohydrates. One aspect of this would be to pursue ethanol from biomass, not just corn, as automobile fuel. Another is to move toward reliance on renewables including photovoltaics, wind, and biomass to generate electricity. Fuel cell developments for both automobiles and electricity generation are also promising. Hunter and Amory Lovins wrote 20 years ago in 'Brittle Power' about the vulnerability of our power systems for electricity and fuel-- unfortunately they are still correct."
6.) Cato Institute Thinks Fossil Fuels Are Sustainable:
A new paper, "The Increasing Sustainability of Conventional Energy," from the Cato Institute argues that "fossil-fuel resources are becoming more abundant, not scarcer, and promise to continue expanding as technology improves; the conversion of fossil fuels to energy is becoming increasingly efficient and environmentally sustainable in market settings around the world." It further warns that "fossil fuels are poised to increase their market share if environmentalists succeed in politically constraining hydropower and nuclear power." It adds that "politically favored renewable energies for generating electricity are expensive and supply constrained and introduce their own environmental issues; alternative vehicular technologies are, at best, decades away from mass commercialization." The report can be found at https://www.cato.org.
7.) Coalition Drafts Energy Survey for Presidential Candidates:
Member groups of the Sustainable Energy Coalition are preparing a questionnaire on sustainable energy issues to be sent to the major presidential candidates in early summer. Let us know if you would like to be e-mailed or faxed a copy of the 2-page survey plan, including the current draft of possible questions, to review and comment on as well as to possibly assist in. The Coalition worked on similar presidential surveys done in 1992 and 1996.
May 2, 1999
Contents:
FEDERAL ENERGY BUDGET
1.) Schedule Shaping Up for Energy Appropriations Bills
2.) Study Says Research Funding Is Not Balanced
3.) Senator Lugar Introduces Bill to Promote Biomass
ELECTRIC UTILITY RESTRUCTURING
1.) Congressional Leaders Critique Administration's Restructuring Bill
2.) Rhode Island Restructuring Law Yields Few Changes
3.) Austin, Texas Becoming Major Green Power Provider
4.) Article Analyzes Green Mountain Energy
CLIMATE CHANGE
1.) Senator Murkowski Introduces Climate Change Bill
2.) Export Agencies Increase CO2 Emissions Internationally
3.) Climate Statements Outline Evidence of Global Warming
MISCELLANEOUS
1.) Nuclear Industry Contributes $15 Million to Congress
2.) Wind Energy Projected to Triple by 2003
3.) Honda Backs Out of the EVs Market
4.) Program Promotes Energy-Efficient Schools
5.) Greenpeace Critiques BP-Amoco's Environmental Credentials
6.) Governor Bush Proposes Voluntary Efforts to Clean Up Fossil Plants
7.) Clinton Unveils Automobile Emissions Plan
FEDERAL ENERGY BUDGET
1.) Schedule Shaping Up for Energy Appropriations Bills:
The House Energy & Water Appropriations subcommittee (which oversees the renewable energy and nuclear power budgets) is expected to act on its Fiscal Year 2000 bill during the third week in May. No schedule is yet known for Interior (which oversees the energy efficiency and fossil fuel budgets). It is expected that all the appropriations bills will be on the House floor during June.
2.) Study Says Research Funding Is Not Balanced:
The "Bulletin of Science Policy News" (April 23) notes that a new 14-page report from the National Academies of Science & Engineering and the Institute of Medicine warns of unbalanced research funding. It notes that between FY'94 and FY'00, research funding at DOE has remained flat while Defense Department research funding dropped 19.8% but it has increased at the National Science Foundation and National Institute of Health by 15.8% and 31.2% respectively. The report can be found at https://pompeii.nap.edu/books/0309064872/html/index.html.
3.) Senator Lugar Introduces Bill to Promote Biomass:
The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senate Richard Lugar (R- IN), has introduced a bill that would earmark $48 million a year for six years for the development of plant-based fuels, including finding more ways to create ethanol. Lugar sent a letter to Vice President Al Gore on April 30 asking for the Clinton administration's support for the measure, the National Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Act. Further details can be found at https://www.senate.gov/~lugar/990430.htm.
ELECTRIC UTILITY RESTRUCTURING
1.) Congressional Leaders Critique Administration's Restructuring Bill:
The current issue of "Utility Restructuring Weekly Update" quotes Senate Energy Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) as calling the Administration's proposed 7.5% RPS "outrageous." Murkowski added that the Administration's bill "shows an attempt to address some of the contentious issues left out in their bill in the last Congress ... many of the provisions still involve more government manipulation and interference with the marketplace." Separately, Rep. Barton is now suggesting that the Clinton Administration's bill will spur congressional momentum on utility restructuring and may result in a bill being finalized this year.
2.) Rhode Island Restructuring Law Yields Few Changes:
The "Providence Journal-Bulletin (April 27) reports that 15 months after Rhode Island became the first state in the nation to open up its electric market to competition, only 1,824 customers (out of the 456,000 that belong to the state's three major electric utilities) have switched electricity suppliers.
3.) Austin, Texas Becoming Major Green Power Provider:
Austin Energy has dedicated its fourth solar power facility that feeds electricity directly into the Austin Energy electric grid and unveiled a plan that could make Austin Energy the largest "green power" provider of any major non-hydro utility in Texas. Austin Energy's "green power" initiative calls for the annual expenditure of $1 million of 2% of actual net income (from the previous year), whichever is greater, to purchase up to 100 MW of power generated from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or landfill gas. That would be enough electricity to power more than 30,000 homes.
4.) Article Analyzes Green Mountain Energy:
A 5-page article in the "Philadelphia Inquirer" (April 25) entitled: "Can Being 'Green' Make it the Envy of the Electric Industry? There is Consumer Interest in Green Mountain Energy's Renewable Power. Now It Wants to Offer Its Stock for Sale." The article discusses Green Mountain Energy's background, its potentially shaky current financial situation, and the success of its efforts to sell "green power" to consumers in California and Pennsylvania. You can find the article at https://www.phillynews.com/inquirer/99/Apr/25/business/ELEC25.htm or ask us to fax you a copy.
CLIMATE CHANGE
1.) Senator Murkowski Introduces Climate Change Bill:
The "Washington Post" (April 28) reports that "U.S. Senators opposed to the Kyoto climate change treaty" have introduced the Energy and Climate Policy Act of 1999 (S.348). Led by Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK), the bill's mostly Republican co-sponsors include Senators Larry Craig (R-ID), Chuck Hagel (R- NE), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Rod Grams (R-MN), Tim Hutchinson (R-AR), Michael Enzi (R-WY), and Gordon Smith (R-OR). Dow Jones (April 27) describes the bill as "legislation ...to encourage voluntary greenhouse emissions- reduction efforts, and [to establish] a new Office of Global Climate Change Research within DOE. ... [It] would set aside $200 million annually over the next decade for a new research, development, and demonstration program to test means of avoiding or reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It would seek to advance non-polluting alternative energy technologies, energy efficiency and nuclear power, as well as means of 'sequestering' carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, whether through tree-planting or other means. The research funds would require private-sector cost-sharing of 20% for research and development, and 50% for demonstration or commercialization projects. An initial hearing on the bill is expected on May 20.
2.) Export Agencies Increase CO2 Emissions Internationally:
A new report, "Business As Usual?," released by the Institute for Policy Studies and Friends of the Earth reveals that from 1992-98, the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation cumulatively underwrote $23.2 billion in financing for oil, gas, and coal projects around the world. These projects will, over their lifetimes, release 25.5 billion tons of CO2. This figure is roughly equivalent to all global CO2 emissions for 1996. The report also provides recommendations to help these agencies develop specific and meaningful plans to work with developing countries and economies in transition toward the development of renewable energy. For details, see https://www.seen.org or let us know if you would like us to fax you 7 pages of articles.
3.) Climate Statements Outline Evidence of Global Warming:
On April 21, Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) delivered a 4-page statement on the Senate floor on "the single greatest environmental threat facing our planet: the threat of global warming" in which she "[laid] out the evidence that global warming is indeed occurring." She argues that "by raising fuel efficiency standards ... [for] cars and light trucks, including sport utility vehicles ... we can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 240 millions per year." Separately, we received a 3-page article excerpted from a new white paper, "Global Warming Is Here: The Scientific Evidence," produced by Climate Solutions (Olympia, WA). Let us know if you would like us to fax you a copy of either statement.
MISCELLANEOUS
1.) Nuclear Industry Contributes $15 Million to Congress:
A new Public Citizen study, "The Nuclear Industry: A Cash Cow for Congress II" finds that "the nuclear industry doled out nearly $15.5 million to members of Congress during the 1998 election cycle in the hope that members will support the dangerous nationwide transport of nuclear waste to an 'interim dump' in Nevada. Members of the House Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction for H.R.45 - the bill that would authorize the dump, in particular have been the targets of the donations. The report can be found at https://www.citizen.org/cmep/radwaste/pac99/cashcow2.htm.
2.) Wind Energy Projected to Triple by 2003:
Reuters (April 23??) reports that Danish wind energy consultancy BTM Consult ApS has forecast that global wind power capacity will more than triple to 21,000 MW between 1998 and 2003. The consultancy said there were far- reaching plans for big offshore windmills and that Europe would remain the main growth region for windmill sales.
3.) Honda Backs Out of the EVs Market:
The "Los Angeles Times" (April 29) reports that "American Honda Motor Company has stopped producing battery-powered electric cars, becoming the first major automaker to acknowledge that it sees no future in marketing the costly vehicles." Even Toyota Motor Sales USA, which has committed to continue development of its battery-powered RAV4 electric, said the autos have no real appeal for consumers because of their high cost and limited range. Fewer than 2,400 battery electric cars and trucks have been sold or leased in the U.S. in the last three years and most of those have been in California. In addition, Edison International confirmed that it is closing its Edison EV subsidiary, which installed 250 charging stations in California and Arizona. Honda now wants to concentrate on technologies such as fuel cells. The company "is enthusiastic about its new VV hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle, which is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. next year; it uses an electric motor to boost a small gas engine to get 70 mpg with ultra-low emissions."
4.) Program Promotes Energy-Efficient Schools:
Business Wire (April 27) reports that schools in Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington state participating in the Alliance to Save Energy's "Green Schools Program" cut their annual energy bills by $7,000 on average, lowering their energy costs by up to 10-15% primarily through behavioral changes alone without any expenditure. A few implemented equipment and technology retrofits -- investments that typically pay back within a few years. Green Schools is a comprehensive K-12 hands-on multidisciplinary educational initiative that encourages both behavioral changes and retrofitting schools so that they are more energy-efficient. Lessons on energy are woven into the traditional math, science, and language arts curriculum, as students learn to assess and monitor energy-use behavior and track and record changes. Details can be found at https://www.ase.org/greenschools/spirit/index.htm.
5.) Greenpeace Critiques BP-Amoco's Environmental Credentials:
In response to an environmental leadership award presented to BP-Amoco CEO John Browne at an Earth Day ceremony at the United Nations, Greenpeace has given Browne an Academy Award for "Best Impression of an Environmentalist." Greenpeace said behind Brown's portrayal of BP Amoco as a leader in solar energy lies a company with far greater investment in dirty fossil fuels that are causing global warming. Let us know if you would like us to fax you a copy of a 2-page release.
6.) Governor Bush Proposes Voluntary Efforts to Clean Up Fossil Plants:
The "Austin American- Statesman" (April 27) reports that in his State of the State address in January, Texas Governor George W. Bush summed up his top legislative priority on the environment: "to make our Texas air cleaner by significantly reducing emissions from older, grandfathered plants." However, his plan for achieving this goal -- asking companies to volunteer to trim emissions, rather than requiring them to do so -- is exposing him to sharp criticism from environmental and health activists, who regard the issue as an early test of Bush's credentials as a likely presidential candidate. The article notes that "environmental policy has not been the centerpiece of the Bush administration. On the environment, he has supported a lighter regulatory touch and protection of private property rights. [For example,]he generally stayed out of a debate last year concerning a proposed disposal site for low-level radioactive waste. Let us know if you would like us to fax you a copy of the 3-page article.
7.) Clinton Unveils Automobile Emissions Plan:
On May 1, President Clinton proposed tough emissions standards for new vehicles and dramatic cuts in sulfur levels in gasoline. Under the proposal -- which would not be made final until the end of the year, after a period of public comment -- the cleaner gasoline and tougher tailpipe emissions standards would be phased in over five years, beginning in 2004. The current level of sulfur in gasoline, which nationally now averages 300 parts per million, would be reduced by 90% over five years to 30 PPM. At the same time, cars, minivans, trucks, and sports utility vehicles would be subject to the same nitrogen oxide standards with NOx to be reduced by 77% for cars and 95% for SUVs. When fully implemented, the proposed measures would reduce vehicle emissions at a level equivalent to removing 166 million cars from the road. Details can be found in news releases posted on EPA's site: https://www.epa.gov.
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