3.28.01 Environmental Protection Agency chief Christie Whitman told President Bush a week before he broke a campaign promise to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that such a move would undermine this country's world reputation, The Washington Post said. It is also an issue that is resonating here at home. We need to appear engaged. One week after the memo, Bush announced he would not seek the carbon dioxide reductions.
Carbon dioxide is a gas that scientists say is a major factor in the earth's rising temperatures.
Those who have worked with Whitman on the issue of global warming said she was undermined by the decision. Whitman refused to comment Monday to the Post. Her spokesman said the memo was a confidential correspondence between Whitman and the president, and that she would not be willing to discuss it. The international community understands that. She also defended Bush's decision to roll back a Clinton administration regulation that would have reduced from 50 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion the amount of arsenic allowed in drinking water.