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Reports that a White House official who once led the oil industry's fight against limits on greenhouse gases has repeatedly edited government climate reports to play down links between such emissions and global warming, according to internal documents. Role of Philip A. Cooney in removing or adjusting descriptions of climate research that government scientists and their supervisors had already approved; Examples of the dozens of revisions, which tend to produce an air of doubt about findings that most climate experts say are robust; Background on Cooney, who is chief of staff for the White House Council on Environmental Quality; Method by which the documents were obtained by "The New York Times"; Response of White House officials to the changes made by Cooney; Views of climate experts and representatives of environmental groups; Influence of Cooney and other White House officials with ties to energy industries. INSET: An Editor in the White House.

The article focuses on the current environmental policy of U.S. President George W. Bush. Bush has included environmental conservation as an important aspect of his policy. His policies on global warming were under scrutiny from environmentalists. Bush had 10 year, $1 billion policy to enhance the condition of parks in the U.S. Previously, Bush offered a gift of marine reserve in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands.

Focuses on legislation in California to reduce green house gas emissions produced by the automotive industry. Profile of Democratic assemblywoman Fran Pavley and her efforts to support requirement of a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gasses by 2016; Lawsuit filed by automakers in an attempt to block the legislation; Support for the legislation from environmental groups in California and across the U.S.; Potential impact of the legislation on the progress of global warming.

Reports that the Bush administration has ruled out the possibility of removing federal dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers to protect the 11 endangered species of salmon and steelhead. Opinion which came from the fisheries division of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration which declared that the eight large dams on the lower stretch of the two rivers were an immutable part of the salmon's environment; Suggestion of other protection options; How the decision differs from the policies of Bill Clinton's administration; Angry reaction from environmentalists and Native Americans.

Highlights the announcement of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that it would not withdraw its plan for regulating mercury from coal-fired power plants despite pressure from Democrats and environmental groups.

Reports on the remaking of energy policy under the presidency of George W. Bush. Tradition of two camps within the administration; Dick Cheney for energy vs. Christie Todd Whitman for environmentally conscious policy; How the policy moved away from the environmental policies of Clinton-Gore and into helping the energy companies; Reversal of Bush' campaign promise to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide; Looser standards for emissions of mercury; Reduced requirements for utilities to build pollution controls when modernizing their plants; Proof that the White House is transforming policy through regulatory revision rather than Congressional debate; Challenges of the administration and how they handled them; Campaign contributions of big energy companies; Resignation of key players; New administration policy on sulfur dioxide emissions.

Reports that U.S. President George W. Bush has nominated Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt to replace Christie Whitman as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Reactions of business, Republican Party groups and environmental activists; Remarks by Bush and Leavitt; Outlook for a politically charged battle over Bush's environmental record when Leavitt's Senate confirmation hearings are held; Views of Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.); Background on Leavitt; Leavitt's stance on land issues.

Examines the environmental policy of the United States President George W. Bush administration. Similarity of Bush's approach to that of former President Ronald Reagan's; Efforts to tie environmental protection to other goals, such as economic growth and increased energy production; Role of regulation in implementing these policies; Overview of major changes in the areas of air, water, land, energy and global climate; Policy shapers; Criticism of regulations. INSET: Policy Shapers, Well Known and Little Known.