SCR 4 - AS INTRODUCED
A RESOLUTION urging the New Hampshire congressional delegation to take appropriate action against modification of the Clean Air Act if the result jeopardizes New Hampshire's ability to safeguard public health and protect environmental quality.
This senate concurrent resolution urges the federal government to take appropriate action against modification of the Clean Air Act if the result jeopardizes New Hampshire's ability to safeguard public health and protect environmental quality.
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03-1195
06/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three
A RESOLUTION urging the New Hampshire congressional delegation to take appropriate action against modification of the Clean Air Act if the result jeopardizes New Hampshire's ability to safeguard public health and protect environmental quality.
Whereas, Section 111 of the Clean Air Act requires the adoption of federal standards (known as new source review) reflecting the best available control technology for facilities which cause, or contribute significantly to, air pollution which may endanger public health or welfare; and
Whereas, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) adopted such standards of performance for the construction or modification of power plants; and
Whereas, the New Hampshire attorney general has alleged and is actively pursuing litigation against upwind power plant owners for violation of new source review here in New Hampshire and out-of-state; and
Whereas, the administration of President Bush is proceeding to implement modifications of the new source review program; and
Whereas, acid rain, which is damaging sensitive ecosystems, including the forests and lakes of New Hampshire, has been particularly attributed to emissions from coal-burning plants upwind of New Hampshire; and
Whereas, scientific research has established a well-defined link between power plant air emissions and human health impacts, including exacerbation of symptoms for those with asthma, increased risk of heart attacks for those with heart disease, causation of lung cancer and premature death; and
Whereas, there remains considerable controversy, uncertainty, and question as to whether the planned changes to new source review will result in continued, increased, or decreased air polluting emissions compared with current or alternative standards; now therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the general court of New Hampshire urges the President, George W. Bush, and the USEPA Administrator, Christie Whitman, to suspend implementation of modified regulations on new source review pending independent scientific review of their projected impact by the National Academy of Sciences; and
That the general court urges the congressional delegation to take and support appropriate actions against any decision made by the administrator of the USEPA to modify the regulations implementing Section 111 of the Clean Air Act if the result would be to jeopardize New Hampshire's ability to safeguard public health and protect environmental quality, including a suspension of pending modified regulations pending independent scientific review by the National Academy of Sciences; and
That copies of this resolution, signed by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives be forwarded by the senate clerk to President George W. Bush, USEPA Administrator, Christie Whitman, and each member of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.