ENVIRONMENTAL
NEWS
S UMMA R Y May 10, 1974
Office of Public Affairs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460
RESERVE MINING CASE
Calling Reserve Case a "classic confrontation between economic interests and
health values," Train says it should be pursued to Supreme Court(Chicago Sun-Times, 4/26^
74). Train rebukes Reserve, parent corporations, Armco and Republic Steel, for balking
at installation of on-land waste disposal; adds, "The company has been trying to cast us
as the 'black hats' in the eyes of the workers." CONTINUED COVERAGE of Judge
Lord's decision closing Reserve, subsequent stay of riling by Eighth Circuit Court(see
5/3/74 News Summary) in Time(5/6/74). Newsweek (5/6/74). Wash. Star(5/1/74), Christian
Science Monitor(4/30/74), St. Louis Post-Dispatch(4/23/74). Chicago Tribune(4/21/74),
Chicago Sun-Times (4/20/74 )», Chicago Daily News (4/23/74) , San Francisco Chronicle(4/23/74
Cleveland Plain DealerJ4/26/74). Milwaukee Journal(4/28/74). Kansas City Star(4/28/74),
Clean Water Report(4/26/74), Air & Water News(4/29/74), Air/Water Pollution Report(4/29/
74), Sierra Club National News Report(4/26/74) MORE EDITORIAL REACTION: Castigat-
ing the three-judge Circuit Court panel for overruling Judge Lord, Chicago Today(4/24/74
hopes the full Court of Appeals, hearing case May 15, "has the good sense to sustain...
Lord--and recognize that 3,100 jobs, important as they are to those who hold them, don't
outweigh the health of 132,000 people in the Duluth-Superior area." "RESERVE MINING
...has shown callous disregard for the public," says Chicago Sun-Times(4/26/74), "by se-
eking the right to continue dumping...unless the taxpayers help it buy anti-pollution e-
quipment." Story quotes Judge Lord: "As I see it, 3,000 workers are being held as econ-
omic hostages by two of the nation's giant companies, who refuse to put in money they
are able to...because it might inhibit expansion elsewhere. The ransom is government
aid." Sun-Times concludes, "The courts should make it clear to Armco and Republic that
the country will not tolerate that kind of behavior from its corporate citizens."
Dayton Daily News (4/24/74) says Armco and Republic "have been shameless...Armco and its
partners could have done something...years ago but have been irresponsible enough to de-
lay solutions and even now have the gall to say they will only carry out some dubious
plan only if the citizens of the United States chip in for the clean-up through govern-
ment-subsidized loans, only if the court reverses itself on the health ruling and only
if the company can keep on polluting a couple of years more...If steel workers are even-
tually hurt by the outcome, they don't have to blame judges or environmental freaks. The
blame lies flatly with Armco...Republie... and Reserve."
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS RATE CONGRESSMEN
League of Conservation Voters compiles House record votes on 19 amendments to
key environmental bills, shows eight representatives scored "perfect 100": Reps. Abzug
(D-N.Y.), Dellums(D-Calif.), Drinan(D-Mass.), Kastenmeier(D-Wis.), Koch(D-N.Y.), Rosen-
thal(D-N.Y.), Roybal(D-Calif.), Young(D-Ga.). Twenty score zero; average score for 435
members--43; Democrat average--55; Republican average--28; Hawaii scores highest, Miss-
issippi lowest; 34 states below 50 per cent(Air/Water Pollution Report. 4/22/74)
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION issues "Dirty Dozen" list of 12 Congressmen whose defeat, according
to EA spokesman, "would make a significant difference not only in the quality of legis-
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
lation passed by Congress, but in the attitudes of other regressive members : Reps. Stei-
ger(R-Ariz.), Stubblefield(D-Ky.), Devine(R-Ohio), Davis(R-Wis.), Hudnut(R-Ind.), Hunt
(R-N.J.), Landgrebe(R-Ind.), Mathias(R-Calif.), Milford(D-Tex.), Scherle(R-Iowa), Talcott
(R-Calif.), Zion(R-Ind.) (Air & Water News, 4/29/74),(Air/Water Pollution Report. 4/29/74)
Additional coverage on League of Conservation Voters list in Boston Globe(4/21/74), Chic-
ago Sun-Times(4/I8/74). Wash. Star(4/18/74). Baltimore Sun(4/27/74). San Francisco Chron-
Lcle(4/19/74); on Environmental Action's "Dirty Dozen" in Louisville Courier-Journal (4/2;?
74); on both lists in Clean Water Report(4/26/74).
UNLEADED GAS
EPA orders 111,000 service stations across country to begin selling at least one
;rade of unleaded gas by 7/1/74(N.Y. Times. 5/4/74), (Wash. Post. 5/4/74), (Wall St. Jou-
rnal, 5/3/74) Two Chicago Daily News Service stories charge that regs could in-
:rease costs to individual motorist "several hundred dollars" and may often leave him st-
randed, "stuck in the middle of nowhere with no hope of finding a gas pump with unleaded
gas.." (Chicago Daily News, 4/18/19/74), (Omaha World Herald, 4/22/74). N.Y. Times (5/5/74)
ilso stresses possible problem finding unleaded fuel, quotes Standard Oil spokesman: "In
the last few months of this year, logistically, people with 1975 models are going to have
i problem traveling in some parts of the country." Newsweek(4/22/74) says auto, oil
Lobbies stage turn-around, now urge adoption of low-lead regs Wash. Star(4/26/74)
feature on EPA concern over deliberate mixing of leaded with unleaded fuel at retail lev-
sl.
IN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS. Studies revealed by Sen. Hart(D-Mich.) indicate that
faulty measurement procedures understated lead levels in atmosphere by 25-50 per cent.
lart wants prompt review of EPA regs that currently require lead content reduction in ov-
jrall gas supply by two-thirds by '79(Wash. Post, 5/5/74).
EPA MILEAGE TESTING
OMB's Ash confirms that review of EPA's gas mileage testing nearly finished and
that another agency may take over job(N.Y. Times, 4/27/74),(Wash. Post, 4/26/74).
REACTION; "A vicious backstage assault by the White House and the powerful auto indust-
ry against [EPA] has been masterminded by Ash without once talking to...Train," say
syndicated columnists Evans and Novak(Wash. Post, 5/4/74). "Behind the White House eff-
ort...is a more dangerous game which looks suspiciously like a clandestine administrat-
ion effort to gut its own auto-pollution controls program." Quotes recent Stork memo to
Train: "What we see as really involved...is an effort to emasculate EPA in any future
fight over the auto emission standards...all real influence depends on the ability to
obtain, assimilate and use information." "EPA HAS A REPUTATION for both accuracy
and outspokenness," says Milwaukee Journal(4/28/74). "Indeed, that's why it's under
fire from the auto makers." Says plan under consideration "likely would result in a rap-
id improvement in the official mileage ratings, for political, not scientific, reasons."
"THE TERRITORY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY is the protection of the
environment, by reducing pollution and the consumption of energy," observes Philadelphia
Inquirer(5/2/74). "By that test, mileage testing belongs where it is, in EPA."
CLEAN AIR LEGISLATION
House passes and sends to Senate a bill(349-43) allowing Clean Air Act emission
standards—requiring catalytic converters on '75's — to go into effect (but delaying stric-
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
ter standards for two years), and requiring Federal Energy Administration to order oil,
gas-burning power plants to burn coal, if capable—even up till '79, if they adhere to
EPA clean air standard timetable. EPA, Transportation Dept., would also be directed to
study fuel economy improvement standard of 20 per cent for '80 autos(Wash. Post, 5/2/74}
IN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS. Kipllneer Washington Newsletter(4/26/74) predicts Con-
gressional changes in air pollution standards will be mostly in giving federal govern-
ment, states more flexibility in unusual cases—not in general easing of clean air rules
applying to all firms.
POPULATION CONTROL
CEQ's Peterson says, "The greatest threat to the future well-being of humanity
is population growth. The solution of most of the major problems of mankind such as...
pollution and the depletion of resources is dependent upon solving the population prob-
lem. ..I believe the United States should dedicate itself to working within and through
the United Nations to help limit the world's population and to help ensure that every-
one in present and future generations will have a healthful and satisfying diet"(Wash.
Post. 4/24/74), (N.Y. Times. 4/28/74).
IN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS. More than 500 statesmen, intellectuals and scientists
from 85 nations present declaration to United Nations stressing urgency of population,
food problems, urging governments to distribute birth control information and equipment,
increase food production—or face possibility of "severe malnutrition for hundreds of
millions and death for many millions".(N.Y. Times. 4/26/74), (N.Y. Post, 4/25/74)
TRAIN SPECIAL ASSISTANT MICHAEL GLENN tells Western Governor's Conference on Agricultu-
re that same excessive stress on natural world which caused environmental, energy cris-
es will lead to food crisis "likely to make all the others look small by comparison
(Corvallis, Ore. Gazette-Times. 4/25/74). That is why, says Glenn, "it is so vitally
important that we begin to see more clearly the inter-relationship between agriculture
and the environment."
IN OTHER POPULATION DEVELOPMENTS. U.S. birth, fertility rates fall to their
lowest points in history in '73, according to National Center for Health Statistics
(N.Y. Times. 4/16/74) "WHY NOT. ..USE TAX POLICY to direct population growth the
same way it is used to speed up or slow down growth in the economy?" says syndicated
columnist Ernest B. Furgurson(Minneapolis Tribune. 4/29/74). "Why not eliminate person-
al income-tax exemptions, or limit them to two per family, or to two parents plus two
children, but no more? Heresy, I realize. But starvation is already spreading over
increasing areas of the world—and as the sight of dead and hungry children comes into
our homes at dinner time.. .more and more things that used to be heresy are going to be-
come urgent common sense instead." AS A RESULT OF THE PLUNDERING OF "earth's ir-
replaceable natural resources," English historian Arnold Toynbee predicts that the free
enterprise system will disappear and that affluent nations will soon be living in a
"permanent siege economy"(Wash. Star, 4/15/74).
ENERGY
ON CBS's "Face the Nation" Train says he fears nation "is going back to its
wasteful ways" of consuming energy, now that Arab embargo lifted(Wash. Post, 4/15/74).
"I think we're being very complacent about this, and not really recognizing that we're
in for a long-term energy problem." Additional AP coverage in Louisville Courier-Journ-
al(4/15/74). Philadelphia Inquirer(4/15/74), Dallas Morning News(4/15/74). Portland
Press Herald(4/15/74); also, coverage in Chicago Sun-Times(4/15/74), Energy Resources
Report(4/26/74). EDITORIAL REACTION; Wash. Star(4/17/74). Chicago Sun-Times(4/18/74)
cite Train's apprehension and echo his sentiments.
IN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS. Train says federal programs for energy conservation,
so far, tend to be "a lot of rhetoric. The Federal Energy Office is supposed to be in
charge of energy conservation...but I haven't got any sense of great thrust over there
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
1
on energy conservation" AP coverage in Denver Post(4/17/74) and Corvallis, Ore. Gazette
Times (4/16/74) "AMERICANS ARE ABANDONING the strict conservation measures they
imposed on themselves at the height of the energy crisis," says Wash. Post(4/26/74).
Nationwide AP survey shows auto traffic in most areas approaching pre-embargo levels,
toll road receipts climbing, mass transit use slipping, rate of electricity conservation
falling "THE ENERGY SCARE not only exposed the hollowness of ...Nixon's commitment
to ecological values but also demonstrated the profound disarray of government agencies
supposedly coping with energy and environmental problems, " says N.Y. Times(4/17/74).
"The great energy scare was a reminder to Americans that no escape is possible and a war-
ning that the day of reckoning for an oil-dependent, energy-wasting society may be near-
er than anyone would like." "WE ARE A SPOILED PEOPLE," says syndicated columnist
Nick Thimmesch(Chicago Tribune, 4/21/74), "and we must shape up when it comes to energy.
We must continue to car pool. We must continue to walk or ride bikes..." But Thimmesch
thinks expanding coal, gas production even more important in alleviating energy problem.
CITING TRAIN'S COMPLAINT THAT programs increasing energy supply favored over energy
conservation programs, Seattle Times(4/18/74) says Train's point "valid," but that ach-
ievement of energy self-sufficiency "requires great emphasis on both sides of the energy
equation."
IN OTHER ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS. CEQ's Peterson accuses American Electric Power
Company (controls six power companies from East Coast to Michigan) of "irresponsibility"
in "inferentially derogating energy conservation" in newspaper ad published March 26 in
several Eastern newspapers. AEP Chairman Donald Cook writes letter to Nixon calling
Peterson's criticism "scurrilous" attempt at "intimidation" and asks Nixon to "fully in-
vestigate both the official and clandestine activities of...Peterson in the conduct of
his office. If the supporters of your energy policies are to be subjected to the Peter-
son treatment, that support is bound to diminish"(N.Y. Times, 4/16/74).
DIELDRIN
Shell Chemical Co. refuses EPA request to stop production of pesticide containing
dieldrin. EPA's General Counsel Alan Kirk tells Shell that request made due to new evi-
dence linking dieldrin with human cancer. Shell says voluntary suspension would be tan-
tamount to plea of "guilty before the trial is complete."(L.A. Times). L.A. Times-Wash.
Post Service story also runs in Louisville Courier-Journal(4/18/74). Las Vegas Review-
Journal (4/18/74), Oregpnian(4/19/74).
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