HOUSE PANEL CUTS FUNDS FOR KEY WHITE HOUSE CLIMATE, DIESEL INITIATIVES

House appropriators have thrown into doubt a major climate change initiative the White House has highlighted as one of President Bush's key environmental priorities, after rebuffing the president's request for a dramatic increase in funds for the program in EPA's fiscal year 2006 budget. The House panel's cuts are also affecting other White House environmental priorities, including funding for diesel engine retrofits and a water program to clean up the Great Lakes. EPA sources say the 87 percent slash to...