Federal Clean Air Act offers less protection
Whatever the Clean Air Act may mean to other states, for North Carolina it will be a step backward in our fight to control air pollutants. Our legislature has passed laws that will help eliminate well-known air pollutants (such as sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, ozone) as well as decrease mercury in fish and people expeditiously.
If the Clean Air Act overrides North Carolina's regulations with less-stringent national regulations, our progress is threatened. Our local producers of pollutants will be able to slow their decreases, and our attorney general will lose leverage to urge nearby states to control their pollutants that taint our air space.
At this time, Triad air pollution levels are triggering the institution of restrictions, including higher-priced gasoline choices. Please encourage Sen. Dole to join Sen. Burr in his belief that supporting this Clean Air Act does not protect North Carolinians.
Teresa Sue Bratton, M.D.
Greensboro
The writer is a pediatric allergist.
Comments (1)
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Is it me, or does the writer seem to be saying that pollution is keeping us from paying higher gas prices? If so, that would be the only favorable aspect of pollution I've ever read.
Posted on March 7, 2005 4:27 PM