In a surprise move this week, the Bush Administration replaced its embattled mercury proposal with a stronger rule that would reduce emissions of the toxic metal. The deal was reached through the Mercury Task Force — a behind-closed-doors negotiating team with mostly environmental groups and one industry representative. “We must confess that the technology was readily available to meet the new standards all along,” said the industry spokesman who participated in the negotiations. “It was wrong of us in the administration to use language from my former employer on a proposed rule that would affect industries they represent — just plain wrong,” commented EPA air office chief Jeffrey Holmstead. “We now see the error of our ways and hope our new proposal shows that we mean to protect the environment and the health of all our nation’s children — not the polluter lobbyists I used to work for.” Unfortunately for all of us, “April Fools!”
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