    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [July 1, 2002]
    [Page 1160]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Clear Skies Initiative
    July 1, 2002

        Today Environmental Protection Administrator Whitman released important new information about the
    unprecedented health and environmental benefits of the Clear Skies
    Initiative that I proposed in February. For the last several months, EPA
    has been working to generate new information about how Clear Skies will
    dramatically improve air quality in every region of the country. Clear
    Skies will bring Americans much cleaner air and healthier forests,
    lakes, and estuaries. Many cities and towns will meet air quality
    standards for the first time in years. We will virtually eliminate the
    problem of acid rain, which affects so many lakes and forests in the
    Northeast. We also will dramatically reduce urban smog and nitrogen and
    mercury deposition. Clear Skies will reduce air pollution from
    powerplants by 70 percent--the most significant step America has ever
    taken to address this problem--while using a market-based system to keep
    electricity prices affordable for hardworking Americans. Administrator
    Whitman and I look forward to working
    with Congress to strengthen the Clean Air Act through the passage of
    Clear Skies so we can improve air quality for all Americans.