James M. Jeffords: “we have tried to do that. But this administration has fought us at every turn on this matter. They refuse to share…”

“we have tried to do that. But this administration has fought us at every turn on this matter. They refuse to share information that is our right to have. The Inhofe amendment doesn't work. It would bar the door after the horse has already left the barn. We need real public health and air quality information before the rules take effect, not later, after the damage is done. That damage could be severe. Independent analysis for just a few states--Florida, Virginia and Colorado--suggests that the rules would allow new emissions of thousands of tons annually of smog or acid rain causing pollutants. There is one final note for Senators to consider--the potentially large increases in pollution from these so-called NSR "improvements" will come back to haunt them. Other sources and sectors in nonattainment areas, such as transportation, for instance, will have to make up the difference in emissions that is necessary to achieve air quality standards. It's a zero sum game. Senators should first vote against the Inhofe amendment and then support the Edwards-Lieberman-Jeffords amendment.”