We might as well start calling it the Environmental Pardon Agency.

Environmental Protection Agency rule changes could lead to almost 1.4 million tons more air pollution in 12 states and jeopardize Clinton-era lawsuits against power plants, two studies concluded yesterday, contradicting Bush administration claims.

EPA studies in 2002 found that about 160 million tons of pollution were emitted into U.S. skies. About 146 million people lived in counties where air monitored in 2002 was periodically unhealthy from at least one of the six principal air pollutants, the EPA said.

EPA and the White House have issued new rules in the Clean Air Act's "new source review" program to make it easier for coal-fired electric utilities, refineries and other industrial plants to make improvements without having to install additional pollution controls.

Sens. James M. Jeffords (I-Vt.), Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) and Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) cited the GAO report in asking the EPA inspector general yesterday to investigate the administration's claims that the regulations would not affect the lawsuits. Lieberman said the GAO findings contradict administration officials' statements before Congress "that were just not right, that didn't give a clear enough picture of the dangers of the increase in air pollution that would result."

EPA spokeswoman Lisa Harrison dismissed the study predicting more pollution as not credible, although the National Academy of Public Administration vouched for its methodology. She said the EPA was confident the changes will not affect enforcement. ("2 Studies Contradict EPA on New Rules: Changes to Boost Pollution", via the Washington Post)

And if the Bush administration says something is "not credible", well then, it must be so.