Mike Doyle: “I share with the gentleman great disappointment today about learning of the President's decision to endorse the new…”

“I share with the gentleman great disappointment today about learning of the President's decision to endorse the new national ambient air quality standards. Unfortunately, this is a victory for politics over science. Earlier today the Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, of which I am a member, released a detailed report of our findings based upon three hearings we have held on the NAQS. I believe that the recommendation of the subcommittee's reports are a more responsible and balanced approach than that of the administration. The plan outlined by EPA and now backed by the President commits us to standards that will be of great economic cost before we know enough to be sure that they will yield any public health benefit. The existing body of scientific knowledge is clearly lacking, especially for particulate matter. Even the EPA agrees with that assessment.”