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The article deals with issues concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's rule on mercury emissions. Two dozen states are rebelling against the government's go-slow approach to restricting poisonous mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. Several states have snubbed the agency's rule which, rather than forcing all coal-fired power plants to slash their emissions of mercury, gives polluters an escape clause--the option to buy mercury pollution credits from especially clean utilities.

The article focuses on the success of the U.S. environmental policy under the administration of President George W. Bush. The Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act resulted in improvements in environmental health. At present, 89% of the people receive water that passed the health standards issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The government has also imposed stricter regulations on companies that dump industrial waste into waterways.

The article considers the decision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to temporarily waive national regulations and environmental laws after Hurricane Katrina. After the storm, EPA issued a spate of waivers from normal gasoline and diesel fuel content requirements for Gulf Coast refineries. At the state level, waivers and variances were often broader, and many remain in place. But environmentalists are concerned that the extent of the waivers may create long-standing environmental problems.

The article discusses the connection between the plummeting price of natural gas and easy compliance by energy companies to climate-change regulations that will be introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The rules, which are opposed by Republicans, are expected to restrict pollution from coal-fired power plants. It is also noted that the rules will not negatively affect power plants, increase prices, or cause layoffs.