Day 25 – 9/15/05, Bill Would Let E.P.A. Relax Rules for Cleanup

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 - The Environmental Protection Agency could suspend any law governing air, water or land in responding to Hurricane Katrina under a measure introduced Thursday by the chairman of the Senate environment committee.

The legislation, which drew immediate criticism from environmental groups, would create a 120-day period in which the agency's administrator, Stephen L. Johnson, could waive or modify laws if it became "necessary to respond in a timely and effective manner" to a situation created by the storm.

The proposal would allow changes in law at the discretion of the Bush administrator in consultation with the governor of "any affected state."

"This legislation is purely about providing E.P.A. the clarity and certainty it will need down the road to ensure a timely and effective response," said Bill Holbrook, a spokesman for the chairman, Senator James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma. [Read more - New York Times]

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