BUDGET CUTS MAY HAMPER TRIBAL EFFORTS TO WIN TITLE V PERMIT POWER

EPA's ambitious plans to grant tribal areas Title V clean air operating permit authority are at risk because of proposed cuts in the Bush administration's fiscal year 2006 budget request, as well as cuts in FY05 appropriations, tribal sources say. The cuts, including a 7 percent cut in FY05 from state and tribal assistance grants, make it less likely that more tribal areas will set up new air programs, which is a first step toward qualifying for the Title V...