Pelosi: ‘Bush Administration Hits the Environment with a One-Two Punch’

November 6, 2003

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to new Bush Administration assaults on the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.

"The Bush Administration hit our nation’s premier environmental laws, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, with a one-two punch today.

"First, the Administration acknowledged it is dropping at least 70 ongoing investigations into Clean Air Act violations at power plants and industrial facilities. In August, the Bush Administration made it much easier for polluting facilities to avoid installing new air pollution controls, while saying that ongoing investigations would continue. Now, the Administration is dropping any pretense of pursuing those investigations.

"Second came the news that the Administration is seriously weakening the Clean Water Act by dropping protections for smaller streams, ponds, and wetlands. The value of these waterways is enormous -- they provide drinking water, support fish and wildlife, and reduce flooding, but the Bush Administration does not seem to care if they are polluted.

"The Bush Administration has thrown in the towel on fighting polluters, and is taking on the environment instead. Democrats will go the distance against polluters to make certain Americans have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink."

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