Title: Faith Groups Back Air Quality
ELCA NEWS SERVICE NEWSBRIEF


FAITH GROUPS BACK AIR QUALITY

"Justice dictates that air pollution standards must be set so
that all people -- regardless of where they live, who they are,
or how much money they make -- have clean, healthy air to
breathe," wrote seven religious leaders in a July 16 letter to
Carol M. Browner, administrator of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).  Representatives of religious advocacy
efforts listed five proposals that would tighten emission
standards and encourage uniform enforcement.  Kay S. Dowhower,
director of the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs (LOGA)
in Washington, D.C., signed the letter with representatives of
the Church of the Brethren, Roman Catholic Church, United Church
of Christ, United Methodist Church and Unitarian Universalist
Association.  "As people of faith deeply concerned with
protecting the health and well-being of all people, we urge the
EPA to set standards for particulate matter and ozone at a level
that will protect all humanity, especially the most vulnerable
... children, the elderly and people with lung ailments," they
wrote.  "Our commitment to environmental justice calls us to
stand for air quality standards which ensure that the basic needs
of all are met."  LOGA is the federal public policy advocacy
office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.