[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2298-H2299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               EARTH DAY

  (Mr. MICHAUD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)

[[Page H2299]]

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, today is Earth Day, and the President is 
coming to my home State of Maine to speak about the environment.
  Unfortunately, the administration has taken us backward in protecting 
the environment, and Maine is worse off because of it. In August, the 
EPA rolled back pollution controls for coal-burning plants in the 
Midwest and just recently announced plans to allow more mercury to be 
emitted into the air, just as we find that many parts of Maine do not 
meet quality air standards.
  This is not just bad for air. It is bad for jobs. When the EPA rolled 
back mercury regulations in August, hundreds of pipe fitters were laid 
off because the pollution-control equipment they installed was no 
longer needed.
  Protecting our air is not a partisan issue. Clean air improves public 
health, saves money, and can create jobs for Americans. The 
administration cannot just ``outsource'' the responsibility for 
protecting our environment to another country.

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