U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman proposed major changes in the regulation of industrial air pollution that would be more flexible in favor of power plants.
Under the new plan, the EPA would eliminate some of the strictest regulations that are traditionally part of the organization's agenda. Whitman's proposed plan would put aside a number of goals, including one to reduce mercury emissions, another to reduce Midwestern plant emissions, and another to restore visibility at national parks. A measure, known as new source review, which requires the installation of pollution controls whenever plants are expanded, would also be eliminated. Whitman defended the changes, arguing that condensing the programs into one strategy would work better than the present rules. Whitman's new plan includes implementing wide-scale market-incentive programs, many of which have shown mixed results in the past. Debate over changes to the Clean Air Act will soon move to Congress, where many lawmakersboth Democratic and Republicanhave been distancing themselves from the Bush administration's environmental policies.
Thanks to California 2000 Project
FULL STORY: Smog Rules May Be Eased

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
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