Environmental Defense Praises Senator Alexander's Support Of Four Pollutant Bill

(14 July 2003 — Washington) Environmental Defense today praised Senator Lamar Alexander  (R-TN) for joining Senators Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Thomas Carper (D-DE) in supporting a bill that would cut and/or cap power plant emissions of four major pollutants:  sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), mercury and the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂).

“Senator Alexander has decided to tackle the real issues caused by power plant pollution,” said Environmental Defense climate change policy specialist Melissa Carey. “His support of aggressive sulfur dioxide reductions and a mandatory cap on the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide prove that he is serious about protecting Tennesseeans’ health and the Great Smokies and reducing our impact on the atmosphere.”

The bill is rapidly gaining momentum as a bipartisan alternative to President Bush’s Clear Skies Initiative, which fails to control global warming pollution and offers fewer benefits to public health and the environment.

“Senator Alexander has shown courageous leadership,” Carey said. “This bill sends a clear signal to the White House that the administration’s Clear Skies plan falls far short of the mark. Senator Alexander’s decision signals a major shift in this debate. Climate protection has become an important issue on both sides of the aisle.”