LETTERS: FACTOR IN COST AS WELL AS BENEFIT

To the editor:

The U.S. Supreme Court has indicated it will be examining the delicate balance between producing economical goods and services while preserving a strong environment which benefits all Missourians. Associated Industries of Missouri has long advocated this type of assessment before the Legislature, Congress and federal and state regulatory agencies.

For 10 years, any suggestion of a congressional revisiting of the Clean Air Act has been regarded as a political impossibility, even though some provisions of the 1990 law come close to requiring improving on natural background levels or implementing other cost-prohibitive measures. Under the letter of the current law, 99.9 percent compliance may not be good enough, and the incremental noncompliance can trigger massively expensive social and technical responses that can never produce a return in improved health and environmental conditions.

In an effort to achieve compliance with the law, and for other reasons, air quality has improved greatly. Surely a review of current law does not have to be viewed as a setback and environmental disaster.

The Supreme Court will be reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency's smog rules, taking into account cost as well as environmental concerns. This is a very favorable step, and one which everyone interested in overall quality of life can applaud. Perhaps the next administration and Congress can take a further look to see if positive changes can be made in the way we achieve environmental improvements.

NORB PLASSMEYER

Vice President and Director of Environmental Affairs

Associated Industries of Missouri

Jefferson City, Mo.