Archive Report
Archive Report
Review of Clean Air Laws
Implications of Ronald Reagan's Victory
Clean air legislation, the most far-reaching and costly of the pollution abatement laws enacted during the 1970s, comes up for renewal in 1981.1 Until recently, environmental lobbyists expressed confidence that changes in the clean air laws would be minor. Representatives of industries affected by the laws seemed to agree. But with the election of Ronald Reagan as president and the defeat of many Democrats in House and Senate races, all bets are off. After Jan. 20, the White House will be occupied by a man who has promised to re-write the clean air laws in collaboration with industry. In Congress, the balance of power will shift to the advantage of those who believe government regulations of ...