OPINION/COMMENTARY

Clouded Thinking Overcomes Clear Skies

More than two years after the Bush Administration proposed its new multi-pollutant approach to reduce emissions from electric power plants, “Clear Skies” was overcome by clouded thinking. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, attempted to move the bill (S131) forward in February and early March but the proposal couldn’t even make it out of Inhofe’s committee. To the economic-minded, the basic premise of Clear Skies looks like a win-win proposition – air quality improves and costs to reach environmental objectives are substantially reduced. What’s not to like? The Administration’s proposal would have reduced emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury significantly over the next 13 years. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain and to respiratory ills. Mercury is of concern for its possible effects on the neurological development of fetuses and young children. Emission cuts would come in two phases but by 2018 sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants would decrease 73%, nitrogen oxides would decline 67%, and mercury emissions would drop 69%....

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