WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has presented two Senate committees with detailed comparisons of clean air plans.
Stephen L. Johnson explained to members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Thursday differences among the Bush administration plan, known as Clear Skies, and other bills designed to curb emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and mercury, the New York Times reported Friday.
Although the Clean Skies legislation had been considered dead six months ago, Johnson brought it back and told senators that it or any other legislation was preferable to the current regulations, which apply only to the eastern half of the country and have come under several of legal challenges.
"A number of legislative proposals are on the table," Johnson said. "The Clear Skies proposal is far superior to regulation and litigation. There are a number of strengths and a number of issues with each proposal, but I look forward to working with Congress to work them out."
