Washington, D.C.

EPA to set new rules for cleaner air in parks

In a court settlement with an environmental group, the Environmental Protection Agency agreed Tuesday to set new rules by April 2005 for reducing air pollution in national parks and wilderness areas.

The EPA would require states to set limits on air pollution from power plants and other sources whose emissions drift hundreds of miles and cause haze and visibility problems in remote areas.

Those limits, meant to improve visibility at 156 parks and wilderness areas, would be established according to EPA guidelines required by a court settlement with Environmental Defense. The settlement requires approval from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia after a public comment period.

Milwaukee

Priests petition for married clergy

More than 160 priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee have signed a letter arguing that married men should be allowed to enter the priesthood.

The letter marks the first time since the mid-1970s that a group of priests has spoken out for optional celibacy.

“Given the present context of the scandals of the last several years, many see optional celibacy as something that needs to be discussed. It opens up the pool of candidates for the priesthood,” said the Rev. Robert Silva, president of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils.

The letter was to be mailed Tuesday to Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.