[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          RENOX '98

 Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am pleased to announce today the 
release of findings from an important environmental conference held in 
my home State this summer. RENOX '98 gathered together 
experts from across the country to focus on the issue of oxides of 
nitrogen (NOX) pollution. NOX is a hazardous 
pollutant that is produced primarily by internal combustion engines and 
power generation boilers and furnaces.
  In 1996, more than 23 million tons of NOX were released 
into the atmosphere in the U.S. alone. NOX is a key 
component in the formation of ground-level ozone and urban smog. The 
health effects of ground-level ozone are well-documented. It 
contributes to respiratory diseases that cause premature death. It is 
harmful to children who play actively outdoors and damages agricultural 
crops and natural vegetation.
  RENOX '98 explored all of these effects and identified 
strategies and solution for the control of NOX pollution. 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has some NOX 
reduction programs under way in both the transportation and power 
generation sectors. However, one of the messages of RENOX 
'98 is that more needs to be done and it needs to be done more quickly 
if we are to make our cities more livable for children and the elderly, 
who are the most vulnerable to the effects of NOX emissions.
  For these reasons, I hope that all Members of the Senate and their 
staff will take some time to read the copy of the RENOX '98 
proceedings that was mailed to each office last week. After reading it, 
I believe you will see the urgency of this issue. I know the Gunnerman 
Foundation, the lead sponsor of RENOX '98 intends to 
aggressively pursue legislation and policy changes that will make 
NOX emissions reductions a higher national priority. Dr. 
Jack Gibbons, formerly Science Advisory to the President and one of the 
keynote speakers and RENOX '98, said: ``We must move the 
NOX problem, which has languished, toward the front of the 
line.''
  This is an issue worthy of our attention and I urge you to give it a 
closer look.

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