The Tribune reports (Page 4, Oct. 11) that the ozone “hole” in the atmosphere is the same size as it has been for several years despite costly environmental regulations prohibiting the use of chlorofluorocarbons that destroy ozone. These CFCs had been used in refrigeration. The article goes on to report that a reduction of ozone in the atmosphere can lead to skin cancer and cataracts.
On Page 6 is a story about new costly environmental standards to reduce ozone pollution from Midwest coal-burning power plants. While power plants do not emit ozone, they do emit nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons that can form ozone–which is claimed to be “debilitating to the young, the elderly and anybody with respiratory problems.” The new regulations will dramatically increase electric power costs.
So, environmentalists have caused a significant increase in refrigeration costs to prevent the destruction of ozone, and now they want to further increase the cost of electric power to prevent the formation of ozone. Is it no wonder that they are completely losing public confidence?
