CLEAN AIR ACT WILL BE DISCUSSED

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The new federal Clean Air Act amendments will be costly environmental legislation for Missouri industry, a local business official said.

"It will be very costly, both to industry and consumers," said Robert Hendrix, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. "Thousands of businesses will have to comply with new, highly complex and costly adjustments to conform to the regulations, and these costs will eventually be passed on to consumers."

Hendrix, who is very vocal about his feelings against the bill, said that the legislation, which was signed into law Nov. 15, 1990, will affect businesses of all sizes and types.

"We're in the midst of the dangerous part now, the interpretations of the bill," added Hendrix. "Businesses will have to assess its potential impact and how to prepare for the regulatory changes."

Businesses will have an opportunity this week to learn more about the legislation during a one-day seminar, to be held at the Drury Lodge here Thursday.

Morris Kay, regional administrator for Region VII of the Environmental Protection Agency, will be guest speaker at the noon luncheon of the meeting.

Kay will discuss the major components of these far-ranging changes and will explain important dates and compliance criteria. Every business in the state will be impacted by this legislation, said Kay.

The daylong seminar, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, will get under way at 9 a.m. with registration. Panel informational discussions are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. A registration fee of $35 can be payable at the door.

Three EPA representatives Wayne Kaiser, environmental specialist; Michael Marshall, environmental engineer; and Dewayne Durst, senior air adviser will be on hand during each of the informational panel sessions.

Kay has more than three decades of experience in both business and government, which has enabled him to establish a strong working partnership among the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the public, the business community and state and local governments throughout region VII.

He served three terms in the Kansas House of Representatives, from 1966 to 1972, and was majority floor leader from 1970 to 1972. He was elected Republican State Chairman in 1979, and again in 1981. He served as a member of the Republican National Committee from 1979 to 1982.

He has served as president of the Lawrence, Kan. Chamber of Commerce, and has served on the Kansas Advisory Council for the Kansas State Geological Survey.

He served as chairperson of the Greater Kansas City Federal Executive Board (FEB) from 1987 to 1989, and is now serving on the FEB executive committee.

Kay, a native of Kansas, received a bachelor's degree in 1954 from the University of Kansas.