Spitzer Urges Congress To Reject "dirty Air" Amendment

Attorney General Spitzer today released the attached correspondence to members of the House Appropriations Committee. In the letter, Spitzer calls on committee members to reject an amendment that would restrict the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, a leading cause of summertime smog and acid rain.

"New York has been especially hard hit by the devastating impacts of air pollution. I am particularly concerned about the growing asthma epidemic in New York State and oppose this Congressional amendment that could lead to countless more asthma attacks among our state's most vulnerable populations -- children and the elderly. I am also concerned about our state's natural resources, especially the Adirondack Park, which continue to be degraded by acid rain. For all these reasons and more, it is imperative that the House Appropriations Committee reject this dirty air amendment," Spitzer said.

Representative Joseph Kollenberg of Michigan is expected to propose an amendment in the House Appropriations Committee that would prohibit the EPA from implementing a key anti-smog regulation, known as the "SIP Call." This regulation would require reductions in smog-forming air pollution from power plants, factories and boilers in 22 eastern states and the District of Columbia. The rider also would make it difficult for EPA to require controls on pollution causing acid rain -- controls that the State of New York has fought to retain.

Amendments to budget bills, known as riders, have been frequently used recently to force changes to existing laws that cannot be achieved through the regular legislative process.

New York has taken an active role in opposing efforts by utilities and mid-western states seeking to derail EPA's efforts to reduce air pollution from mid-western utilities.