GOVERNMENT
Republican Party Platform Differs Markedly from Democratic Though both strongly support research, the two platforms diverge on science education, government regulations, and environmental issues The Republican Party platform that emerged from the recent Dallas convention is, as could only be expected, a reaffirmation of many of the Administration's present policies. It offers striking contrasts to the Democratic platform (C&EN, Aug. 6, page 13), but there is at least one area of agreement—both contain kind words about research and development. In a section labeled science and technology, the Republican platform says, "We pledge to continue the Reagan Administration's science and technology policies, which have enhanced economic recovery and our nation's research capability. We have refocused federal research and development programs on basic research and it has increased more than 50%. We propose to extend the incremental research and development tax credit to stimulate greater activity in the private sector. To allow U.S. firms to compete on an equal footing with foreign companies, we will permit U.S. firms to cooperate in joint research and development efforts." As can be seen, the section specifically labeled science and technology is rather short, but there are other favorable references to research scattered throughout the platform. In setting forth the party's position on agriculture, for example, the platform notes that farmers and ranchers "have benefited immensely from agricultural research, extension, and teaching, unequaled in the world.
Reagan: will continue science policies . . . We support these programs, with special attention to marketing, efficiencies, reduced production costs, and new uses for farm and ranch commodities." The Republicans are also high on health research—an apple-pie issue if there ever was one. Thus, says the platform, "We will maintain our commitment to health excellence by sponsoring research into yet-unconquered diseases. There is no better investment we as a nation can make than in programs that hold promise of sounder health and longer life. For every dollar we spend on health research, we save many more in health care costs. . . . The federal government has been the major source of support for biomedical research since 1945.... We commit to its continuance." The two parties' platforms begin to diverge on the issue of science education. The Democratic platform spoke at length about the need for aid to local school districts to im-
prove math and science education and enhanced support for undergraduate and graduate training in science and engineering. The Republican platform says only, "We urge the states to establish partnerships with the scientific and business world to increase the numbers of teachers in these critical areas of learning. We also recognize a vast reservoir of talent and experience among retirees and other Americans competent to teach in these areas and ready to be tapped." The divergence widens when the subject of government regulation is addressed. The Republican platform notes, "We are committed to the termination of the Department of Energy. President Reagan has succeeded in abolishing that part that was telling Americans what to buy, where to buy it, and at what price— the regulatory part of DOE. Then he reduced the number of bureaucrats by 25%. Now is the time to complete the job." It also calls for decontrolling natural gas prices as rapidly as possible, repeal of the "confiscatory" windfall profits tax on oil, and elimination of unnecessary regulatory procedures so that nuclear plants can be brought online quickly, efficiently, and safely. In addition, the platform notes, "We moderated the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food & Drug Administration's excessive adherence to 'zero risk' standards concerning the use of pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, and preservatives. Republicans favor modernizing our food safety laws, providing guidelines for risk-benefit assessment, peer review, and regulatory flexibility consistent with other health and safety policies." When it comes to environmental issues, the platform states, "The environment is not just a scientific or September 10, 1984 C&EN
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CIRCLE 17 ON READER SERVICE CARD 16 September 10, 1984 CAEN
Government technological issue, it is a human one. Republicans put the needs of people at the center of environmen tal concerns. ... In setting out to find solutions to the environmental issues of the 1980s and 1990s, we start with a healthy appreciation of the difficulties involved. Detecting contamination, assessing the threat, correcting the damage, setting up preventive measures all raise ques tions of science, technology, and public policy that are as difficult as they are important. However, the health and well being of our citi zens must be a high priority." Thus, the Republican Party en dorses a strong effort to control and clean up toxic wastes and supports the continued commitment to clean air and clean water. This support includes implementation of mean ingful clean air and clean water acts. And, the platform says, "We will continue to offer leadership to re duce the threat to our environment and our economy from acid rain, while at the same time preventing economic dislocation." There is a total parting of the ways in the two platforms on at least one subject. As the Republican platform puts it, "Democrats claim deficits are caused by Americans' paying too little in taxes. Nonsense. We reject proposals to increase taxes in a misguided effort to balance the budget. Tax and spending increases would reduce incentives for eco nomic activity and threaten the recovery." Strong words. Janice Long, Washington
Patchwork of laws to protect groundwater For all the environmental legisla tion passed by Congress, none can be used effectively, by itself, to pro tect the nation's groundwater. So the Environmental Protection Agen cy disclosed its plans late last month to pull together parts of eight differ ent laws to facilitate this protection (C&EN, Sept. 3, page 17). The resulting strategy appears con fusing, but EPA says that by applying its authorities "flexibly and imagi natively," just about everything that needs to be done, can be done.
Federal A l e r t new regulations This listing highlights regulations published in the Federal Register from June IS to Aug. 24. Page num bers refer to those issues. PROPOSED Environmental Protection Agency—Re duces amount of nitrogen oxides 30% and levels of particulates from institutional steam generation units; comments by Oct. 1 (June 19, page 25102). Proposes lead content standard of 0.1 g per gal in gasoline by January 1986, replacing current 1.1 g-per-gal standard; comments by Oct. 1 (Aug. 2, page 31032). Nuclear Regulatory Commission—Would require all research and test reactors to use only low-enriched uranium fuel (July 6, page 27769). Transportation Department—Suggests re moval of some regulations on transporting low-specific-activity tritium and carbon-14 used in labs; comments by Sept. 24 (Aug. 23, page 33469). FINAL Environmental Protection Agency—Permits indefinite use of polychlorinated biphenyls in microscopy oils and other research; ef fective July 1 (July 10, page 28193). Defines types of data required for new pes ticide registrations and methods used to protect confidential information; effective late October (Aug. 1, page 30884). Agency rules it will not regulate polycyclic organic compounds as a specified air pol lutant (Aug. 8, page 31680). Limits discharge of inorganic chemicals into waterways and publicly owned treatment works; effective Oct. 5 (Aug. 22, page 33402). Requires reporting to EPA of any current or prospective importing or manufacture of any chlorinated naphthalenes; effective Oct. 8 (Aug. 24, page 33649). Food & Drug Administration—Amends regulations to allow use of gamma radiation to control insects in garlic powder, onion powder, and dried spices; effective June 19 (June 19, page 24988). Occupational Safety & Health Administra· tlon—Establishes exposure limit of 1 ppm over eight hours for ethylene oxide; effective Aug. 21 (June 22, page 25734). NOTICES Environmental Protection Agency—An nounces intent to cancel registration of all pesticides containing creosote, pentachlorophenol, and inorganic arsenicals (July 13, page 28666). Makes available for comment regulatory strategies analysis for controlling fugitive emissions from gasoline marketing industry; comments by Oct. 9 (Aug. 8, page 31706).
