Eolair
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2000
- Location
- Ludwigshafen, Germany
This is from www.just-auto.com:
USA: EPA nominee would review Clinton diesel rules
18 Jan 2001
Source: Reuters
WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect George W. Bush's nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency told senators on Wednesday she would review diesel fuel rules released last month by the Clinton administration to see if changes are needed.
New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee at her confirmation hearing that the incoming administration has an "obligation to review all pending rules...and we will do that in this case."
The new rules, which take effect in 2006, are aimed at curbing sooty particles spewed from diesel-powered trucks, cleaning up the air for children, the elderly and others with asthma and respiratory ailments.
The regulations capped a series of actions by the Clinton administration to tighten pollution restrictions on tailpipe emissions and sport utility vehicles.
Whitman told Senator Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, that she shared his concerns about air quality.
"I think we need to look at all the ways we need to clean our environment and... motorised transport has been a large part of the problem," Whitman said.
As head of the EPA, Whitman said she would try to craft rules that meet environmental goals at the least cost to the economy. "We need to ensure balance and that's what I'm going to do," she said.
The stricter rules prepared by the Clinton administration have been vigorously opposed by U.S. oil refiners, who have said they will ask Bush and Congress to amend the rules and delay the effective date until 2008.
Under the new restrictions, American refiners will have to reduce sulphur in diesel fuel to 15 parts per million by 2006, compared to a current level of 500 parts per million.
Oil, trucking and retailing groups have warned that the rules will mean higher diesel prices and fewer supplies.
USA: EPA nominee would review Clinton diesel rules
18 Jan 2001
Source: Reuters
WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect George W. Bush's nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency told senators on Wednesday she would review diesel fuel rules released last month by the Clinton administration to see if changes are needed.
New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee at her confirmation hearing that the incoming administration has an "obligation to review all pending rules...and we will do that in this case."
The new rules, which take effect in 2006, are aimed at curbing sooty particles spewed from diesel-powered trucks, cleaning up the air for children, the elderly and others with asthma and respiratory ailments.
The regulations capped a series of actions by the Clinton administration to tighten pollution restrictions on tailpipe emissions and sport utility vehicles.
Whitman told Senator Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, that she shared his concerns about air quality.
"I think we need to look at all the ways we need to clean our environment and... motorised transport has been a large part of the problem," Whitman said.
As head of the EPA, Whitman said she would try to craft rules that meet environmental goals at the least cost to the economy. "We need to ensure balance and that's what I'm going to do," she said.
The stricter rules prepared by the Clinton administration have been vigorously opposed by U.S. oil refiners, who have said they will ask Bush and Congress to amend the rules and delay the effective date until 2008.
Under the new restrictions, American refiners will have to reduce sulphur in diesel fuel to 15 parts per million by 2006, compared to a current level of 500 parts per million.
Oil, trucking and retailing groups have warned that the rules will mean higher diesel prices and fewer supplies.