The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee deadlocked 9-9 on Wednesday on a bill to implement President Bush's "Clear Skies" initiative.

The Bush administration said the proposal would reduce power-plant emissions by 70 percent. But Democrats and environmental groups said it weakens existing law and would not reduce pollution of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury.

The Environmental Protection Agency still plans to issue new regulations to set limits on power-plant emissions that are linked to global warming and are believed to contribute to contamination of fish consumed by tribes.

Get the Story:
Senate Impasse Stops 'Clear Skies' Measure (The Washington Post 3/10)
pwpwd
Bush-Backed Emissions Bill Fails to Reach Senate Floor (The New York Times 3/10)
pwnyt

Related Stories:
Report faults EPA for mercury rule favoring industry (3/8)
Bush nominates career scientist as head of EPA (3/7)
Report: EPA's mercury proposal biased towards industry (02/04)
EPA to delay regulations on mercury emissions (04/30)
EPA drafts new rules to reduce air pollution (12/05)
Bush administration proposes to ease mercury rules (12/3)
Tribes mull toxic fish study findings (8/1)
Toxic fish threaten tribal subsistence (7/31)