The document is a forwarded email that contains comments criticizing claims made by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) regarding the health impacts of power plant emissions. It summarizes NRDC testimony arguing that the Bush administration's Clear Skies initiative does not go far enough in reducing emissions. The comments then examine NRDC's claims about the impacts of particulate matter and mercury emissions, finding little evidence that current levels cause harm to public health.

1. ~~J15 750 PagelIof 90
RECORD TYPE: FEDERAL (NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR-Dana M. Perino ( CN=Dana M. Perino/OU=CEQ/O=EOP( CEQI
CREATION DATE/TME: 4-JUN--2003 11:22:38.00
SUBJECT:: Conmments on NRDC's testimony on Power Plant Regulation
To:michael_catanzaro~epw.sen~ate.gov @ inet Cmichael_catanzarogepw.senate~gov @ inet
READ: UNKNOWN
TEXT:
this is outrageous
-- --------- Forwarded by Dana M. Perino/CEQ/EOP on 06/04/2003
11:21 AM -- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Debbie S. Fiddelke 06/03/2003 06:54:49 PM
Record Type: Record
To: Phil Cooney/CEQ/EOP61EOP, Elizabeth A. Stolpe/CEQ/EOPOEOP, Dana
M. Perino/CEQ/EOPOEOP
cc:
Subject: Comments on NRDC's Testimony on Power Plant Regulation
note Clear Skies comments ... .didn't realize we were apologists for
Jef fords and the NRDC. ...
------------ Forwarded by Debbie S. Fiddelke/CEQ/EOP on
06/03/2003 06:53 PM…---- ---------
Marlo Lewis <mlewis~cei~org>
06/03/2003 03:51:21 PM
Record Type: Record
To: Mar10 Lewis <m1ewis~lcei.1org>
cc:
Subject: Comments on NRDC's Testimony on Power Plant Regulation
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is the leading force behind
Sen. James Jef fords's (I-Vt.) Clean Power Act (S. 366), a bill that wouldY~
impose costly new controlsion power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide,
nitrogen oxides, mercury, and carbon dioxide.9The Bush Administrationfl,s
Clear Skies initiative, which would establish new controls on sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury, but not carbon dioxide, is, in no
small measure,' a UJ&me-tooO8 response to:VSenatory)JeffordsO,s bill.:VIt is thus
fair to say that NRDC is driving much of the debateSgin Washingtonover
Clean Air Act O&reform.fl8
NRDC ClimateSyCenter Director David Hawkins has testified twice on the
Clean Power Act, and once on the Clear Skies Act (S. 485) .yMr.Y~HawkinsYi
has argued that the Bush plan will57kill thousands of Americans every year
becaxise9'it does not go far enough to reduce power plant emissions.
file://D:search_7_11_'05_ceq1O730 fz4dxgOO3..ceq.txt 10/3/2005

2. Page 2 of 90
This paper examines9'NRDCO, syclaimsS-regarding the health and mortality
effects of~fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and mercury emissions.V'It
finds thatVPM2.5 at current levels is unlikely to be increasing
mortality, and that sulfatefl~the form of PM caused byi~power plant
emissionsO*is a particularly~implausible cause of deaths; becauseksulfate
is not toxic.91
Current power plant mercury emissions are also an implausible cause of
harm. Power-plant mercury isjja concern because high levels are found in
some non-commercial freshwater fish consumed by sport-fishers and their
friends and families. But less than one in 1,000 women have blood mercury
levels as high as those associated with even subtle reductions in
childrenfl s neurological health. Furthermore, as EPA concluded, no one
knows where the mercury in fish is coming from. Most of it may come from
past emissions that remain in the environment and are continually
deposited and reemitted, and/or from areas outside the U.S.where mercury
emissions are 'much higher. Thus, there is a significant risk that
mandatory reductions in power plant mercury emissions will not
significantly reduce mercury ilevels in freshwater fish.
Because higher incomes alloW~peovle to enhance their overall!:'health and
safety, the economic burdens iof the Clean Power Act and the Clear Skies
Act are likely to doymore harm than goodf~for public health.
-NRDC.pdf
- ~~~~~ATTACHMENTf 1 -
ATT CREATION TIME/DATE: 0 00:00:00.00
TEXT:
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