Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 6, 1990 TAG: 9004060985
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A2 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The Energy and Commerce Committee approved the complex and costly clean-air package late Thursday after resolving the thorny issue of helping Midwest utilities cope with tougher acid rain controls.
The acid rain compromise, approved 39-4, aims to help Midwest states pay for cleaning up pollution caused by utility plants by providing a "pollution allowance" system and a one-year extension for initial compliance in some cases.
Critics of the measure have said it would cause electric rates to jump. Legislation passed by the Senate earlier this week includes a similar provision.
Pleas from some Midwest congressmen for a nationwide energy fee or tax were rejected.
The compromise "allows us to recoup some costs," said Rep. Michael Oxley, R-Ohio, although indicating he would like to have seen more aid for the region. "This is a tough, tough bill for my part of the country and we're going to feel it for a long time."
"A lot of blood was spilled in these debates," said Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., who vigorously opposed proposals such as a tax or energy fee to help the Midwest.
Only Rep. William Dannemeyer, R-Calif., voted against the House measure.
Meanwhile, the latest survey by the Environmental Protection Agency released Thursday showed that, using 1988 figures, smog continues to plague more than 100 cities and affect about 121 million people.
Roanoke was among the Virginia cities that exceeded federal air quality standards for ozone concentration.
Ozone is a product of emissions of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides and the chief component of smog. The federal standard for ozone is 0.12 parts per million in the air. Roanoke's was found to be 0.13 ppm.
Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News had the same rate; Richmond-Petersburg rated 0.15 ppm; and Washington scored 0.18 ppm.
Like the Senate bill approved 89-11 on Tuesday, the House legislation calls for sweeping emission controls on automobiles and industry, including a requirement that electric utilities cut annual sulfur dioxide emissions by 10 million tons, or roughly in half.
Sulfur dioxide, especially from Midwest electric power plants that use high-sulfur coal, is the source of the acid rain that has caused problems with lakes and streams in much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states.
The Bush administration has estimated the Senate legislation would cost the economy $21.5 billion a year when all provisions go into effect.
The House bill has been said to be slightly cheaper. Environmentalists say much of that cost will be offset by lower health costs.
House Speaker Tom Foley, D-Wash., has indicated he wants to begin floor action on the clean-air bill by early May. The House and Senate versions then would have to be worked out in a conference committee.
Several congressmen have indicated they intend to pursue additional amendments on the House floor. But congressional sources suggested Thursday that it is unlikely that major changes will be made in light of the one-sided committee vote.
Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., the panel chairman, said the legislation was "significantly better" in protecting the environment than the Senate version.
Dingell's committee tackled the most controversial aspects of the legislation - including the acid rain issue - behind closed doors. Private committee negotiations last week produced compromises on controlling urban smog and releasing toxic industrial chemicals.
by CNB