The Clear Skies proposal is far superior to regulation and litigation.

The Clear Skies proposal's stated goals were to reduce three pollutants: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mercury.

(Business Day, May 31) says the Clear Skies proposal to reduce emissions from power plants "would eliminate some safeguards against local hot spots" and thus cause localized areas of unhealthy air.

Today an aide to the governor said Mr. Pataki considered the Clear Skies proposal "an enormous step forward" and would work with the administration on the other issues.

Mr. Bush's sketchy "Clear Skies" proposal addresses only the first three.

President Bush has now unveiled his long-awaited "Clear Skies" proposal, which he promises will simplify and strengthen the Clean Air Act without crippling American industry.

The president's Clear Skies proposal calls for a 70 percent reduction in some of the worst air pollutants, including mercury, over the next decade.

The Clear Skies proposal, the administration says, will reduce pollution more than if the Clean Air Act were left in place, although the administration has not released data to support that contention.

Mrs. Whitman, however, acknowledged that Dr. Graham's method would still accompany her agency's studies, including those on President Bush's "Clear Skies" proposal.

"By contrast, adopting a Clear Skies proposal sets predictable standards and ensures compliance in a cost-effective and relatively litigation-free manner."