WASHINGTON, D.C. ? The Bush administration might add to air pollution by making it easier for thousands of aging factories and plants to modernize, scientists say.

A report Friday from the National Academy of Sciences casts doubt on federal attempts to help power plants, refineries, manufacturers and other industrial facilities comply with a 29-year-old Clean Air Act program known as “new source review.”

The Clean Air Act program requires businesses to use the most effective anti-pollution controls. Opponents and proponents have long agreed that it comes with too much bureaucratic red tape.

Some of the administration’s changes to that program are under review by the Supreme Court, which was due to receive legal briefs on the matter Friday.