Epa Ozone Air Quality Standard Inadequate

WASHINGTON – Energy and Commerce Committee ViceChair Diana DeGette (D-CO) released the following statement todaycriticizing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing toadequately lower the nations ozone air quality standard to protect human health and the environment.

"Once again the Bush Administration has chosenpolluters over people and the environment in minimally lowering theozone air quality standard. In a disturbing continual pattern, the BushAdministration chose to listen to a litany of interest groups andpolluters rather than EPA scientists and public health groups whoargued for even more stringent standards. Even experts at the EPAbelieved that the standards should be lower."

"In Colorado, we have all seen the summer ozone hazewhich brings increased health and air quality alerts and diminishes ourmountain views. As Vice Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Iwill not let this Administration continue to make the false choice offavoring pollution over public health and Colorado's blue skies. I willwork aggressively with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that ournation and Colorado has the strongest air quality standards that willprotect our public health and improve the quality of life of allAmericans."