Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Suitcase causes bomb scare at Akron bus terminal
Akron City Council OKs higher speed on I-77
Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
New eateries expand menu of options
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Louisville athlete commits to play for Boston College
Family found dead in Ohio home
Blogs:
Pets:
It Takes All Kinds
The Heldenfiles:
Tuesday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
An interesting thought from a reader
Akron Zips:
Akron vs. Mount Union — Liveblog
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
Flashes interested in another Cincinnati player
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes Roll 100-60 / Season Outlook
Varsity Letters:
Report: Walsh baseball player commits
All Da King's Men:
More On The Fort Hood Jihadist
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Simply Incapable of Telling The Truth
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (63) Commonwealth Fund Report on Primary Care
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
Aeromsith looking for new singer as Steven Tyler contemplates solo career
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
Video: 'Modern Warfare 2' hits the streets
A federal appeals court recognizes a dangerous pollutant
Published on Friday, Feb 15, 2008
Unfortunately, the Bush team carved a gaping loophole in the rule. Yes, toxic pollution would be curbed. The emissions wouldn't be reduced enough to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act, the priority the law places on the quality of public health. Thus, a week ago, a panel of federal appeals court judges (including a Bush the younger appointee) unanimously struck down the EPA regulations. They concluded that the feds ignored their legal obligation to require the strictest controls, jabbing the agency for applying ''the logic of the Queen of Hearts,'' substituting its own wishes for the ''plain text.''
The dangerous loophole stemmed from a cap-and-trade system for curbing emissions. If overall mercury pollution would be reduced 70 percent by 2018, the purchase of allowances would translate into certain power plants escaping sufficient controls. Those people in the vicinity of such a plant wouldn't see the benefits required by the law. In other words, their health would be unduly at risk.
The cap-and-trade system has proved effective in lowering emissions of sulfur dioxide (the culprit in acid rain). The system would serve well in reducing greenhouse gases that drive global warming. Mercury is simply too toxic to allow for these ''hot spots,'' where the emissions escape necessary regulation.
What next? The hope is, the litigation will cease, and the feds will return to the plan devised by the Clinton White House in 2000, requiring tighter and, yes, more expensive controls, reducing mercury emissions 90 percent. The Clinton plan had the distinct legal advantage of holding to the law, putting public health above all.
Get the full article here.
