The environmental policies ofUS President George W. Bush threaten to undermine anti-pollution measures that have been developed since the first Earth Day celebration 31 years ago, according to Democrat David Bonior.
In the weekly Democrat response to President Bush's radio address, Mr Bonior said America has made a lot of progress since the first Earth Day but that the President’s policies mean the pollution of the past will become a part of the future.
Since taking office, the President has treated the big polluters to an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of environmental giveaways, said Mr Bonior, the second-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
President Bush has withdrawn from talks on a global-warming treaty; put implementation of tougher standards for arsenic in drinking water on hold and broken a campaign pledge to curb power plant emissions of carbon dioxide.
However, President Bush this week upheld Clinton-administration rules requiring thousands more businesses to disclose potentially toxic lead emissions and announced that the United States will sign a global treaty aimed at curbing toxic chemicals.
On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans for a reduction of arsenic in drinking water of at least 60 percent from current allowable levels. A Clinton plan would have reduced levels by 80 percent.