WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chairman of the Environment & Public Works Committee, and Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio), Chairman of the Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee, issued the following statement today calling for an end to obstruction against Clear Skies legislation pending in the Senate: “The overwhelming rejection of the McCain-Lieberman climate change legislation by 60 senators and the embrace of Senator Hagel’s economy-friendly approach by two-thirds of the Senate mean the end for mandatory caps on carbon dioxide as an option to appease climate alarmists and their special interest allies. With that in mind, it is time to address a real concern – air pollution. The climate change votes last week should signal to Democrats that carbon caps are a non-starter, and that the Clear Skies legislation we have offered is the best approach for providing Americans with a 70 percent cut in air pollution from 1,300 power plants nationwide. Twice in one week, Democrats and their New Source Review litigation strategy suffered major defeats – the latest at the hand of a Clinton-appointed judge. The NSR program was never intended to cut air pollution. Clear Skies is – with the largest pollution reductions of any Presidential clean air initiative in history. Democrats should end their obstruction of Clear Skies and return to the table to help approve a workable solution. The House of Representatives has indicated its willingness to proceed. This is hardly about providing President Bush an environmental victory, and it isn’t about seeking political cover. It’s about being able to go home to our constituents to tell them their air is about to become 70 percent healthier.”