The Bush Administration is planning to adopt new air quality rules this summer that will make it easier for utilities to build coal-fired power plants near national parks and wilderness areas, according to EPA scientists and park managers that are up in arms about the scheme.

About a year ago, the EPA proposed rewriting a section of the Clean Air Act that spells out how the government measures air pollution near Class 1 areas, federal lands that currently receive the highest level of protection under the law. The agency closed the public comment period on the proposed rule change in April, and says it probably won’t make significant changes to the draft rule, despite the objections of many EPA scientists and park officials. Read more...

As crazy as it may seem, some people think global warming is a hoax perpetrated by environmentalists who want to scare people into sending donations, or liberals who want to promote big government and more regulation. If you've ever encountered one of these hardcore skeptics and have found yourself lost for cogent arguments, be sure to read this article.