NCSL ENVIRONMENT PANEL CHIEF FACES OPPOSITION TO CLEAN AIR PLANS

State Del. Jim Hubbard (D-MD), the recently appointed chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures's (NCSL) environment committee, is facing tough industry opposition to his plans for the group to formally oppose the Bush administration's air quality initiatives. Hubbard -- whose recent appointment drew opposition from the utility industry -- is taking the helm amid growing industry efforts to block NCSL and other state groups from adopting positions supporting strict environmental requirements, particularly on air quality issues. "There is...