Bush, in Michigan, Defends Pollution Plan [View All]

[UpInArms]

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Politics/ap20030915_1687.html

MONROE, Mich. Sept. 15 —

pRresident Bush defended his proposal to ease industrial pollution rules Monday, saying the regulations would fight dirty air while keeping electricity flowing and Americans working.

The proposed rules would make it easier for thousands of older power plants, refineries, factories, chemical plants and paper mills to make major upgrades without installing costly new anti-pollution controls.

The old rules "created too many hurdles, and that hurts the working people," he said at a coal-fired electric plant as he tried to strengthen his environmental image during a trip to Michigan and Pennsylvania, two states crucial to his re-election strategy.

Bush said his new rules would encourage plants like the Detroit Edison facility he toured to invest in new, environmentally friendly equipment without fear of costlier improvements ordered by the government, or years of litigation. And, citing last month's enormous power blackout, Bush said encouraging power companies to install new equipment would help improve the nation's power infrastructure.

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we just need to be able to see the air that we breathe (or not)