Tougher Clean Air Rules Attacked By Governors

The nation’s governors found themselves divided Sunday over tougher clean air standards being considered by the Environmental Protection Agency, refusing to issue a strong rebuke of the proposal as sought by some of the chief executives.

Ohio Gov. George Voinovich, a Republican, had argued that it was “critical” that the governors formally express their opposition to the EPA proposal. He urged approval of a resolution demanding that the agency more closely examine the costs of imposing tighter standards for smog and dust.

But other governors, led by New Jersey Gov. Christine Whitman, attending the National Governors’ Association winter meeting, argued that it was premature to criticize the proposal because the issue needed to be more thoroughly examined.

Finally, the governors Committee on Natural Resources issued a resolution that said little more than that the governors are “concerned about striking a balance” between protecting public health and overly burdensome regulations.

The Clinton administration had been worried that the governors might issue a strong rebuke of the proposed air regulation announced last November, which would tighten standards for smog-causing ozone and for fine dust, putting many cities again into noncompliance.

The EPA proposal is expected to be one of the most contentious issues before Congress this year as lawmakers are pressed by a wide-ranging business coalition to block the rules because of their likely cost to industry. Strong criticism from the governors’ association would have given opponents additional ammunition.

The EPA wants to regulate fine dust down to 2.5 microns in diameter, instead of 10 microns.

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EXTENSION EPA Administrator Carol Browner told the governors she had extended for an additional 60 days the comment period for tighter regulation of ozone and fine dust.