Political Quotes

“I will oppose the motion to proceed to Senator Rand Paul's resolution that would disapprove of the cross-State air pollution rule promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA's cross-State air pollution rule, also known as ``CSAPR,'' requires reductions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that contribute to smog and fine particle pollution in downwind areas. To minimize costs, EPA allows trading of air pollution permits and also provides flexibility to States for implementing the rule. The State of Michigan, in particular west Michigan, has air quality problems due to pollution from areas such as Chicago, Milwaukee, and Gary. Poor air quality not only causes a variety of health problems, such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments, but also has a detrimental impact on economic development and job creation. It simply makes no sense for a region to be penalized with pollution and requirements that could limit economic growth when the source of pollution comes from outside of that region. For that reason, I support the goal of the EPA rule. I am pleased that EPA's cross-State air pollution rule is expected to help some Michigan counties meet the national air quality standards for smog and fine particulate matter. However, I am concerned that the rule does not appear to adequately address a number of air pollution problems in west Michigan caused by out of State sources.…”