Scientists Group Fears More Pollution

Friday July 21, 2006 4:01 PM

By JOHN HEILPRIN

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Bush administration plans to ease clean air rules for thousands of aging industrial plants might increase air pollution, the National Academy of Sciences said Friday.

Those Clean Air Act rules are under review by the Supreme Court, which is due to receive legal briefs on the administration's attempts to rewrite the rules in 2002 and 2003.

An NAS report requested by Congress said the possibility of emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide ``increases in some locations and decreases in others. However, the magnitude of the changes and the number of georespiratory ailments.