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Headquarters Press Release
Washington, DC
.
Date         03/16/2001
Published:
Title:       STATEMENT BY EPA ADMINISTRATOR CHRISTIE WHITMAN ON CLIMATE
             CHANGE

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              STATEMENT BY EPA ADMINISTRATOR CHRISTIE WHITMAN
                             ON CLIMATE CHANGE

                               March 16, 2001

President Bush and I both take the issue of climate change very seriously
and support a comprehensive and balanced energy policy that takes into
account the importance of improved air quality. As EPA Administrator, I
look forward to working with Congress on a multi-pollutant strategy to
require power plants to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
oxides, and mercury. This would be a big step forward from anything
accomplished by the last administration.

Such a bill will be important to improving the quality of air in America.
Let's not lose sight of that fact as the press concentrates on one issue,
the decision on carbon dioxide.

The President has been clear that the Administration does not believe the
government should impose mandatory carbon dioxide emissions reductions on
power plants at a time when the cost of energy is soaring in this nation.
California has experienced energy shortages and other Western states must
also be worried about price and availability of power as we approach the
high demand months of summer. I agree with the President that we must be
very careful not to take actions that could harm consumers.

The President has said we will fully examine global climate change
issues-including the science, technologies, market-based systems, and
innovative options for addressing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere. I share the President's optimism that we will be able to
develop technologies, market incentives, and other creative ways to address
global climate change and I fully intend to support him in that effort.

R-39 ###
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