COMPETING STUDIES MAY NOT END CLEAR SKIES DEADLOCK BEFORE ELECTIONS

Two conflicting reviews of EPA's cost-benefit analysis comparing President Bush's Clear Skies multi-pollutant emissions legislation and several alternatives are unlikely to break a Senate deadlock over the issue before the 2006 elections, as lawmakers focus on bolstering their own clean air bills instead of negotiating a compromise, according to industry and environmental group sources. Clear Skies would regulate emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and mercury from power plants. Alternative bills offered by Sens. Thomas Carper (D-DE) and...