WHERE THEY STAND: THE ENVIRONMENT.

President George W. Bush's Clear Skies measures use market-based programs, such as trading pollution credits, to cut down on emissions of pollutants like mercury. The nature of mercury makes trading problematic, and his time frames are longer and reductions less than those of Clinton-era blueprints. The Clear Skies plan is stuck in Congress. Democratic nominee John Kerry would support trading credits for some pollutants but require more controls for mercury. Voted for the Climate Stewardship Act, which would take steps toward regulating greenhouse gases. Bush has allocated $15 million this year in watershed improvement grants and announced plans to protect, restore, or improve 3 million acres of wetlands. Kerry wants to create targeted incentives for farmers to cut down on pesticide and fertilizer runoff. Would give "fullest protection" to wetlands. Supports stronger protections for the Great Lakes. Congress passed the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, based on Bush's plans to thin undergrowth that fuels forest fires. Bush supports creation of a nuclear waste repository at Nevada's Yucca Mountain; wants it to open by 2010. Kerry vocally opposes the repository. Would instead ask the National Academy of Sciences to restudy whether geologic disposal of nuclear waste is the best option.