ENVIRONMENTAL
NEWS
SUMMARY September 13, 1974
Office of Public Affairs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460
AIR
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"It may have been a no-win problem from the start, but the course chosen by the
agency insures that the significant deterioration controversy will be back in the
courts and before Congress very soon, declares the Wash. Post in 8/31/74 editorial
on jEPA's recent "significant deterioration" proposals. Expressing many of the same
fear aim nationwide editorial comment, Post observes "...proposals could lessen the
pressures on industries to develop and use the best technology, and could increase
the pressures on state governments to permit large-scale development with lesser safe-
guards for the environment...local and industrial land use preferences may have to
yield to the national interest...Ultimately...conflicts will have to be defined, ex-
plored and settled by the Congress. Meanwhile, EPA's responsibility is to enforce the
law...Unfortunately...the agency has chosen instead to leave that job to the states,
to private groups and to the courts." Echoing Post's charge of EPA evasion of respon-
sibility, calling for Congressional rewrite of Clean Air Act, Cleveland Plain-Dealer
(8/22/74) notes "... EPA has ducked the issue...by passing the buck on to individual
states...to make the hard decisions. Challenge in the courts...is inevitable.
Congress should rewrite the law with precise language." L.A. Times (8/20/74) terms
EPA's proposal a "loophole... which goes well beyond the prohibition against 'significa
deterioration' in air quality...that loophole has to be closed." St. Louis Post Dis-
patch (8/21/74) calls EPA decision "an astonishing surrender...giving the states virtua
ly a free hand...EPA would permit...nation's clean air regions to be degraded by indus-
try-hungry states ready to yield to the lobbying pressure of builders of power genera-
ting. . .facilities." Miami News (8/19/74) agrees, says "states controlled the air pol-
lution effort for years, but they were never able to withstand the pressure imposed
by the huge industries...Air pollution is clearly a national problem that must be dealt
with through uniform standards established at the national level. The EPA decision...
to let the states decide...is an alarming retreat..." "Proper regulations are clearly
a national responsibility, and a tougher EPA is the logical enforcer" (Detroit Free
Press,8/19/74).
Bereen County Record (8/20/74) believes economic growth vs. environment decisions
"...not the sort of decision...EPA ought to be making...it is up to...Congress to do
the changing." New York Post (8/19/74) calls EPA proposal "incredible," says EPA
should be renamed the "Expanded Pollution Administration." Cape Cod Times (8/19/74)
reiterates proposals "will have to face court tests." However, Times feels "EPA seems
to make a good case... [butjthe courts will be the ultimate referee...The battle line
has been drown...It's a tremendous issue that in the end will affect us all."
....Connecticut deputy state environmental protection commissioner warns of.econom
harm to that state if industries feel free to move other states with clean air
(Hartford Times, 8/17/74); proposals also opposed by Florida officials as health hazard
(Ft. Lauderdale News, 8/18/74, Fla. Times-Union, 8/20/74)
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
Denver Post (8/25/74) notes Sierra Club will take EPA to court "to force the agency to
set a single national air quality deterioration standard enforced by the federal govern-
ment."
IN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS, Louisville Courier-Journal (8/18/74, 8/19/74, 8/25/74)
expresses concern about effect new significant deterioration proposals will have on
already-excessive sulfur dioxide emissions by Kentucky's electric utilities, particular-
ly TVA. 862 responsible for crop-damage, health problems in Kentucky; Courier Journal
fears new standards will ease requirements for scrubbers, issue already pending with
Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Public Service Comm. (see 5/17/74, 5/31/74 News
Summary) and opposed by TVA in favor of tall stack, intermittent controls. Paper blasts
FEA for discouraging use of scrubbers (8/19/74); calls significant deterioration pro-
posals a "copout" (8/25/74). Nashville Tennessean (8/22/74) also scores TVA, American
Electric Power System (AEPS) for anti-scrubber campaigns, criticizes EPA for not enforcing
emission limitations: "EPA's public criticisms have provided more sound than substance.
IN OTHER AIR DEVELOPMENTS, EPA Administrator Russell Train, in letter to N.Y. Times
(9/2/74) and Wash. Post. (9/5/74), responds to AEPS advertising accusing EPA of blocking
national energy resource development, particularly in mining and burning coal: "I be-
lieve we must find ways to use our abundant coal. The methods adopted must also protect
public health...EPA has adopted policies and supported legislation using coal...."sup-
ported oil-to-coal conversions "providing that health standards are protected...We do
not support permanent use of intermittent control systems...that EPA prescribes scrubber
as the only method of achieving...standards...is absolutely untrue...The need now is
for a positive commitment...working with technology...It is through such effort, and not
through contentious advertising, that progress will be made..." Ohio EPA recom-
mends repeal of state '75 fly ash and S02 pollution standards for electric utilities
'till '78 (Wash. Post. 9/8/74).
Forty-five per cent of all urban non-smokers have higher amounts of car-
bon monoxide in their blood than federal standards regard as safe, while smokers have
2-4 times more, posing serious health hazards to persons with heart disease, the elderly
and young children, says director of federally-sponsored study of 29,000 people in 18
areas (Wash. Post. L.A. Times. 8/27/74, Newsweek. 9/9/74). Los'Angeles and Denver,
automobile-oriented cities, showed'highest average amount of excessive CO (76% of non-
smokers), higher'concentrations among vehicle-related (such as taxi drivers) and indus-
trial workers, inner-city dwellers. Director of study terms results "astonishing;" EPA
health effects' director John Finklea admits "CO levels are higher than we would have
expected..." (Post. 8/27/74). N.Y. Times (8/29/74) feels study calls for strict and
immediate enforcement of transportation control plans, auto emissions controls.
AUTOS
Catalytic converters produce enough sulfuric acid mist to create serious health
hazards in two years, says EPA's John Moran, director of a $3.5 million study on auto
emissions (Wash. Post. Wash. Star. 9/3/74). The 0.5 grams acid mist released per mile
is not released by cars with standard exhaust systems. Study played down by GM (N.Y^
Times. Wash. Star. 9/4/74, Eugene Register-Guard. 8/28/74) which feels sulfur could be
removed from gasoline at refinery if that becomes necessary. L.A. Times, in 9/5/74
editorial, asks EPA^monitor and to enforce corrective measures as soon as health hazard
significant, as required under Clean Air Act.
Nat'l Academy of Sciences, in $500,000 Senate-sponsored study, finds "no
substantial basis for changing" present air quality standards as requested |.ast year by
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
automakers before Senate Public Works Comm. (N.Y. Times, 9/5/74, Wash. Post, 9/6/74).
Results of MAS report show automotive emission controls "cost-effective," outweighing
automaker'.s, public's economic investments by saving possible $10 billion a year in
human health and in protecting materials from deterioration (N.Y. Times. 9/8/74).
Academy says nearly 4,000 people die each year due to automotive air pollution, which
also causes loss of 4-mi 11 ion work days per year, due to illness. Automakers may get
some reprieve in meeting nitrogen oxide standards which academy concludes may be too
"stringent," but it also recommends strengthening EPA's nitrogen dioxide standards to
hourly as well as annual standards. Chairman of Senate Public Works Comm., Sen. Jenning^
Randolph (D-W.Va}/ expresses disappointment in study, believes restricted too closely
to automotive pollution, limiting study on other anti-pollution sources such as sulfur
oxides and particulates produced by coal-burning power plants (Wash. Post. 9/9/74).
MASS TRANSIT
Detroit Free Press (8/22/74), Miami Herald (8/23/74), Baltimore Sun (8/27/74), Wash.
Star (8/25/74) consider recent House-passed $11 billion allotment to urban mass transit
systems inadequate, but agree to significance of first-time Congressional approval of
operating subsidies: the "Rouse may have failed to face up to all of the nation's real
needs, but it did address itself to some of them" (Miami Herald). Birmingham News
(8/24/74), meanwhile, calls reduced expenditures "fiscally sound...," says House has don
a good job..." President Ford, speaking at International Conf. on Urban Trans-
portation in Pittsburgh, defends reduced spending,believes "we can achieve our national
transportation goal...with imagination.. .determination.", .very careful ordering of our
priorities." Ford offers support of operating subsidies only on special revenue-sharing
basis.
IN OTHER MASS TRANSIT DEVELOPMENTS, Christian Science Monitor(9/3/74) reports from
Los Angeles that inflation, energy crisis, smog and other environmental factors causing
general disillusionment among its residents with freeways (over 50% in one poll desired
curbs on freeway building); evidence of growing interest in a mass transit program
Los Angeles.
ATOMIC ENERGY
Boston Globe (9/3/74), Eugene Register-Guard (8/27/74) express relative satisfac-
tion with AEC report on safety of conventional nuclear reactors (see 8/30/74 New Summary
Globe, however, criticizes AEC for not including fast-breeder reactors, transportation
of radioactive substances/ nuclear sabotage; Register-Guard hits laxity in enforcment
of safety standards, cites"...AEC1s conflicting roles as both the promoter and the
supervisor of N-plant utilization" Louisville Courier-Journal (8/28/74) question
necessity of House-Senate passed extension of Price-Anderson Act, extending private
liability insurance in case of nuclear mishap, with new AEC contention of unlikeliness
of such event. Journal cites N.Y. Times report (8/25/74) showing safety violations in
one out of every three power plants AEC inspects, with failure to penalize even most
serious offenders. "Perhaps the industry would improve its safety record it if it did-
n't have federally guaranteed liability insurance to lean on ," concludes Journal
Rep. Les Aspin (D-Wisc.) expresses concern for rising costs of U.S. fast-breeder reac-
tor program, calling it a potential "monumental rip-off of the taxpayers unless the
costs are controlled immediately" fdrrlsfiian pfipnnp Mom'twi^ 8/26/74).. .New Hampshire
Gov. Thompson, at recent FEA hearings in Boston, asks for immediate removal of all
nuclear power plants opponents in government (Wash. Star. 8/30/74).
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
OCEANS
law of the Sea Conference ends after 10-weeks in Caracas with no agreements other
than to reconvene in Geneva in spring '75,hopefully sign treaty in Caracas, summer '75
(N.Y. Times, 8/30/74, 9/1/74, Mall St. Journal. 8/30/74, Wash. Post. 8/30/74^ (see 8/9/7^
News Summary). Issues, split between industrial, developing nations - whicn^reel can
only be solved at higher levels - involve territorial rights (industrial countries ask-
ing 12-mile sovereignty, 188-mi. "economic zone" - control of natural resources, develop-
ing countries asking 200-mile sovereign zone); deep-sea mining (developing countries
want larger share of ocean minerals than industrial countries); pollution standards
(developing countries want them relaxed); straits passage (straits countries want con-
trol of passageways, U.S., Russia want freedom of passage) (Post. 8/30/74). 200-mile
economic zone would allow international ocean research; developing countries want right
to refuse permission to researchers (N.Y. Times, 9/1/74). Delegates, hoping to head
off unilateral action by borne countries who might interpret conference as failure, term
conference a success in defining, narrowing of issues, providing base for '75 treaty
signing. U.S. Congress under pressure from mining, some segments of fishing industries
to declare 200-mi. territorial limit, claim high-seas mineral rights (Wash. Post,9/4/74)
N.Y. Times.in 8/30/74 editorial, calls conference "severe disappointment...The oceans,
which could be a new and saving source of proteins, minerals and fuel, for poor and rich
nations alike, will be reserved instead for perpetuation of the same maldistribution,
the same struggles of economic nationalism, that have torn the world apart for centuries,
These struggles will be eased only when the "common heritage" concept is adopted in
good faith. Wash. Star (9/6/74): "... the international exercise will continue to be
futile unless a spirit of accomodation replaces...jealousies and fears...the broad out-
line of...oceanic law...visible...But within those categories are oceans of controversy.
What is needed is a lot of nation-to-nation communication...at a government level higher
than that of the Caracas delegates." Bait. Sun (8/30/74) agrees conference "ended in
stalemate -- although not in failure...All nations stand to gain by a fair agreement;
all stand to lose if the ocean's riches are not tapped..."
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