ENVIRONMENTAL
NEWS
SUMMARY Narch!5, !974
Office of Public Affairs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460
WHITE HOUSE.TRAIN, LOCK HORNS OVER CLEAN AIR REVISIONS
"I want it known that I am strongly opposed to most of these proposals [Admin-
istration amendments to Clean Air Act], says Train, "and I'm going to fight against
them to the last wire, because I don't think they're necessary and I do think they'd
do substantial harm." (N.Y. Times. 3/11/74). Since Train "held his ground firmly" a-
gainst OMB, FEO, Domestic Council, introduction of amendments set back till White House
yields or forces issue—"and possibly Mr. Train's resignation." "Sources" say Train
doesn't threaten resignation—will send proposals to Congress without supporting them.
If "push comes to shove," EPA will have "aggressive allies" in Sen. Muskie (D-Me.),
"several of his colleagues." Principal revamps feared by Train: (1) Extension of po-
wer plant emission deadlines till '84; (2) authorization of tall stack dispersion of
sulfur oxide emissions as permanent control device, regardless of emission limitations;
(3) requirement that agency consider not only health effects but economic, social im-
pact in standard setting; (4) federal pre-emption of stricter state standards; and (5)
exemption of energy-related activities from NEP/1. impact statement requirements.
IN OTHER AIR DEVELOPMENTS. Federal Power Commission staff report says strict
adherence to current air quality standards wi^l cause "critical deficiencies" in U.S.
electric power supply in seven of nine "electric reliability" areas by '75; many steam
plants could be ordered shut down. Overall reserve picture "affected less" in '77
due to retirement of older units, upgrading of capacity by use of stack scrubbers or
environmentally acceptable fuels. Air/Water Pollution Report 3/4/74) REFLECTING
ON FINAL EPA complex source regs (see 2/22/74 News Summary), 'Indianapolis Star (2/19/74)
says, "If the agency is as unrealistic and unreasonable in this area as it has been
with auto emission and smokestack controls, American growth could be brought to a scree-
ching halt."
EPA SLAMMED ON TUSSOCK MOTH DECISION
"Bowing to chemical manufacturers, the timber lobby and the...Forest Service,
the E.P.A. has caved in," feels N.Y. Times (3/10/74) (see 3/1/74 News Summary). "The
efficacy of DDT against the tussock moth has yet to be demonstrated...But there is no
reason to believe that DDT has lost any of its toxic effect on indirect targets...Thanks
to its long-lasting quality, it is now to be found alike in the polar bears of the Far
North and the penguins of the F«r South. Its lethal effect on the reproductive capa-
city of birds has been amply demonstrated. There are less persistent chemicals that can
be used. Their application may be costlier and require more skill, but that is surely
no reason for the Government to restore respectability to a known poison."
IN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS. Forest Service Chief John HcGuire "irritated" by Train
to inform" Service before announcing decision Salem, Ore. Capital Journal
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
believes EPA "doesn't deserve the swats it's getting for the tussock moth decision..
.PA didn't make its decision in a vacuum or on the spot. Plenty of scientists.. .in other
jovernment agencies, and outside government were consulted.. .the U.S. Forest Service
which now advocates DDT use] was involved, too. Soon after the decision was made,
ISFS Chief John McGuire told us he and his staff were consulted and participated in the
lecision. He indicated he concurred in it."
REACTION TO LAND USE KNIFING
Reponse to "indefinite postponement" of land use bill by House Rules Committee
.see 3/1/74 News Summary!:"It is a perversion of the democratic process when a hand-
:ul of men at a strategic point can lightly be allowed to deprive the entire House of
in opportunity even to vote on a question of immense national importance" N.Y. Times,
2/28/74) "THIS ARBITRARY MOVE by six Democrats and three Republicans is doubly
wrong-headed because it seems ..to have been based largely on a lack of understanding of
land use bill and a susceptibility to the distortions and alarms peddled by the opponents
Df effective planning" (Wash, .gost, 3/4/74) '.'THE ENVIRONMENT WAS dealt another blow
...when the White House ana uemocrats on the House Rules Committee buckled under pres-
sure from political and special interests and scuttled a land use bill that ...Nixon
Dnly a month ago said was of 'high priority.' ...The only explanation for the White
House retreat that makes sense is that the President has been losing favor rapidly with
Conservatives because of Watergate. It is understandable that Mr. Nixon would be seek-
^ng ways to get back in their good graces before the vote on impeachment, but it is un-
fortunate that the environment has to suffer. But ...six of the nine votes to scuttle
fit came from...Democrats who apparently bowed to pressure from the Chamber of Commerce..
and from construction trade union lobbyists who contended that it might slow construc-
tion and cost jobs" (Wash. Ltar-News, 3/5/74) "THE WISE USE of land under today's
iressures is essential, and planning to assure the hest use is needed. But the power
io decide the best use should remain at home and not be placed in the hands of Washing-
ton's planners. The committee's decision to defer the bill, therefore, was a victory
for the rights of states" (Dallas Morning News, 3/1/74).
IN OTHER LAND USE DEVELOPMENTS. Commenting on land use bill currently before
Maryland legislature, Baltimore SunT3/3/74) says year-old Florida land use law (Land
and Water Management Act of 1972) a "success," according to environmentalists, planners,
politicians, developers. Fla. Act authorizes state to designate "critical areas" where
development highly restricted—develppers required to submit project applications to
regional planning agency for environmental, social evaluation. Some builders grumble,
but many admit application process more uniform, less costly than hassling with patch-
work of local zoning regs. Says developers spokesman: "On the whole, it can be of
great benefit to developers. Environmental quality is a saleable item." Says Fla. Gov.
Reubin Askew: "What is encouraging is that the people of Florida now recognize that
we cannot continue in the direction we've been going. There is a growing realization
that should Floridd'lose its vast heritage of environmental wealth, its economic well-
being would surely follow as a casualty." IN ADDITION TO existing land use pro-
gram, Miami Herald (2/27/74) reports that new "growth-policy" bill requiring all Fla.
cities, counties to plan land use "zipped" through House Environmental Protection Com-
mittee--'^ excellent first start" says House speaker.
MEDIA REACTION TO ATTEMPTED GUTTING OF STRIP MINE BILL
Some response to House Interior Committee defeat of, watered-down, substitute
strip mine bill (see 3/°/7* Uff"s Summary): "THE MERE TWO-VOTE margin by which this
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
strong legislation was rescued is a sign, we expect, of harder tests to come...If Con-
gress doesn't summon exceptional nerve to overcome some powerful interests, no adequate
law to curb and correct the devastation of strip mining will emerge from this session
...Without a strong federal requirement for reclamation, great expanses of the nation
will be scarred beyond recognition, and increasing water pollution will be just one of
the side effects" (Wash. Star-News. 3/6/74) "IN MOVING FORWARD with comparative-
ly strong strip mine controls, the...Committee gave notice of its awareness that pub-
lic sentiment does not want the land ravaged for coal...those opposing strong federal
controls have been trying to equate opposition to stripping with opposition to coal.
But the argument doesn't hold. It is not the use of coal at issue but the use of the
land to get it...government figures have estimated that only a small portion of the
nation's total coal supply is in strippable land, with the rest overwhelmingly in
deep mines" (Wash. Post. 3/6/74).
IN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS. "Congress will be guilty of gross negligence," says
Pittsburgh Press (2/28/74). "if it waltzes through another year without protecting the
nation against savage strip-mining practices...What the strip-mine apologists fail to
mention is that far more coal (seven times as much) is available from deep mining than
from surface mining."
IN OTHER STRIP MINE DEVELOPMENTS. "Good chance" that environmental groups will
appeal U.S. District Court decision that Interior Dept. can grant mining leases in
Northern Great Plains region without issuing over-all environmental impact statement
(Billings Gazette, 2/20/74) CALLED AN "ECONOMIC BOMBSHELL" by U.S. House Interior
Committee researcher, "barely known" study of Eastern Kentucky strip mining by Mathe-
matica (Princeton-based research group) challenges basic claims of coal lobbyists
(Louisvi 11 e?Courier-Journa]. 3/3/74). Finds mountain mining feasible without dumping
strip mine wastes down hillside; documents low cost of new mining techniques. Gist
of report contained in bill before Kentucky legislature permitting no more than half
of stripping wastes to be dumped on hillsides.
HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE BLOCKS MASS TRANSIT RELIEF
3/7/74) "FROM THE BEGINNING," says N.Y. Times (3/8/74), "the urban mass-transit
bill was a long shot. The White House, oriented toward conservative "middle America,"
and the rural-suburban-dominated Congress has provided operating subsidies to farmers,
oil men.. .railroads, airlines and the maritime industry, to name a few. But mass tran-
sit, vital to the economy of most larger cities, has been regarded as a sinkhole."
"IN STRATEGIC TERMS," states Wash. Post (3/9/74), the difference between the [Congres-
sional mass-transit] bill and tne administration's approach is essentially the differ-
ence between a short-term rescue mission and the administration's longer-range reforms
in the structure of federal transportation aid...The goals of the administration's
plan...are laudable...But if the tortuous course of the 1973 highway^aid act is any
guide...the administration will have to show far more willingness to compromise than
has been evident to date." "IN SMOTHERING THESE bills [mass transit, land use]
and thereby harming the public interest...Nixon and his agents played their destruc-
tive part. But the Republicans are outnumbered 10 to 5 on the House Rules Committee.
These defeats could hardly have occurred without the connivance of Speaker of the
House Carl Albert and the Democratic leadership...As long as this parliamentary anomaly
survives in its present form to obstruct bills, delay action and divide responsibility,
the House will remain out of order." (N. Y. Times, 3/9/74).
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
IN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS. Referring to Nixon's mass transit proposal which gives
local communities more flexibility in spending federal funds, Louisville Courier-Jour-
nal (2/19/74) says: "This combination of local and state initiative and federal help...
Tsthe only practical way to meet the growing need for adequate mass transit service
and still maintain a needed sense of local autonomy and responsibility. Few communi-
ties, if any, can afford the massive costs of buying and upgrading an existing transit
system or starting a new one without outside help. But no community deserves such
help unless it is ready to meet a portion of these costs and to underwrite some of the
continuing operating deficits out of local pocketbooks."
IN OTHER MASS TRANSIT DEVELOPMENTS. The two largest U.S. mass transit organiza-
tions, American transit Association (ous-dominated) and Institute for Rapid Transit
(subway, commuter, rail operators), expected to merge into single entity representing
all mass transit facets (Wash. Star-News, 2/18/74).
•00 ECOLQSISTS SEEK EMASCULATION OF AMERICAN BUSINESS?
Syndicated columnist Kevin Phillips in Boston Herald American f1/23/74). under
title, "A Second Oil Conspiracy," says: "Since the 1930's, as Old Guard business has
lost economic power, leverage has passed to a new set of institutions: Federal, state
and local bureaucracies; communication empires; non-profit institutions, centers, and
foundations; the so-called 'Poverty-Education...Complex1...Ecologists in the vanguard of
blocking oil pipelines or chemical plants tend to be drawn heavily from the ranks of
[these institutions]...While coal, oil and steel companies may (and usually do) err on
the side of rapacity, such old-line industries tend to be a social force for economic
achievement, national pride and military preparedness. In contrast, a society domi- •
nated by "Harvard the Ford Foundation, CBS, the Washington Post, Common Cause, and so
forth can be expected to promulgate the equally self-interested ideology and economics
of crypto-humanism."
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