Edwards wants to require health analysis for EPA changes

[chimpymustgo]

Monday, August 25, 2003 12:40PM EDT


By HOLLY RAMER, , Associated Press Writer

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said Monday he will fight to protect public health as the Environmental Protection Agency prepares to allow some power plants to modernize without adding more pollution controls.

Speaking at a diner crowded with breakfast customers, the North Carolina senator accused the Bush administration of taking the life out of the 1977 Clean Air Act by supporting a new rule the EPA is expected to issue this week.

The rule relaxes the agency's definition of "routine maintenance," a catch-phrase describing the only reason an industry could modernize without having to install best-available pollution control technology.

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Earlier this year, Edwards co-sponsored an attempt to delay the rule so experts could study how the change would affect public health. That failed, but he said he will keep trying.

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Bob Mitchell cited Edwards' "charisma, youth and energy," while his wife, whose former job involved helping the homeless, zeroed in on the candidate's ability to empathize with those in need.

"I would say he has a lot of compassion," she said.

http://newsobserver.com/nc24hour/ncnews/story/2808773p-2596285c.html
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John Reid Edwards. Son of a mill worker. Populist. Environmentalist. Great candidate.

[renie408]

1. He is a great candidate..

and stronger on a lot of issues than he is given credit for. I am really excited about watching things over the next couple of months. Edwards has not been campaigning hard yet because he was following advice he had gotten about doing some fundraising and not jumping the gun before he started campaigning. I think that as he starts to get out more and spread his message more, he will be seen as a credible candidate who has many assets and lacks some of the drawbacks of the other hopefuls.

[diamondsoul]

2. Well GO, Johnny GO!

Sorry, couldn't resist, and besides I always loved that song. All kidding aside, though, this really is great to see. Stuff like this is probably why Kucinich gave his name as the other candidate he gets along especially well with in that Daily Show appearance.

I've noticed I zoom in on Edwards as my second favorite in the current bunch. He DOES have a lot of compassion.