EPA Proposal To Ease Smog Controls

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.

1 minute read

July 31, 2001, 7:00 AM PDT

By California 2000


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 lawmakers—both Democratic and Republican—have been distancing themselves from the Bush administration's environmental policies.

Thanks to California 2000 Project

Friday, July 27, 2001 in The Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

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.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

US and Texas flags flying in front of Texas state capitol dome in Austin, Texas.

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.

30 minutes ago - The Texas Tribune

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

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.

1 hour ago - Inside Climate News

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

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.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board