The Bush administration has tightened federal air quality standards for smog-forming ozone, but not to the extent recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's scientific advisers.

The decision was met with dismay by state and local air quality officials, public health advocates and environmental groups, who contend the new rules fail to adequately protect the public or the environment from the serious health hazards of smog.

The EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee recommended that the standard be set "no greater" than 70 ppb (parts per billion) and suggested it could be set as low as 60 ppb. But EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson instead set the new standard at 75 ppb.

Earlier this year Johnson was similarly in hot water for denying a staf recommendation. He was called to testify before Congress to explain his decision to deny California a waiver to regulate greenhouse gases from vehicles.

Read the entire article at the Environment News Service.