The Bush Administration has revised the rules of the Clean Air Act regarding when companies must install pollution-control devices when upgrading or repairing their facilities. A company can now spend as much as 20% of what it would cost to replace a major component of its plant before being required to install modern pollution-control equipment. An EPA official said that the new rules would result in the safer and more efficient use of facilities. Environmentalists feel that the changes will make it easier for plants to increase harmful emissions.
See "Clean Air Act Rules for Industry Eased", Elizabeth Shogren, Los Angeles Times, August 27, 2003