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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Liz Judge,
(202) 667-4500, ext 237,
ljudge@earthjustice.org

Sen. Jay Rockefeller Goes After Clean Air Act

Introduces legislation that would delay EPA authority to regulate air pollution

WASHINGTON

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) dropped a bill that would shield the
nation's biggest polluters from limitations on their carbon dioxide
pollution for another two years.

This legislation was introduced just a few hours after a bill from Sen.
John Barrasso (R-WY) that would restrict the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's authority to regulate air pollution under a series
of environmental laws.

The latest bills are a harbinger of upcoming clean air attacks that will
give dirty polluters a break at the expense of public health. The
following statement is from Earthjustice legislative representative
Stephanie Maddin:

"Sen. Rockefeller is standing in line with Sen. Barrasso as an advocate
for the nation's dirtiest industrial polluters, giving them a free pass
to pollute our air without restraint. It is unacceptable that our
elected leaders are pushing for legislation that prioritizes corporate
polluter special interests and costs Americans clean air.

"Defending the Clean Air Act means defending our economy, our health and
our nation's bottom line. This new legislation is simply a continued
effort on the part of dirty energy companies who throw around money on
Capitol Hill to get out of air pollution controls that protect our
public health."

Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth, and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. We bring about far-reaching change by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations, coalitions and communities.

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