The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, February 16, 2004, Image 10

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Texas A&M University
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Meet Navah Perlman
the Norah Jones of classical piano
Gifted. Beautiful. Extraordinary. Pianist Navah Perlman is fast
becoming one of the brightest young stars of the classical music world.
In this one-night-only concert, Navah will be joined by over 100 of
Russia’s finest musicians and vocalists. If you’ve yet to discover the
undeniable beauty of classical music, this concert is your big chance.
MOSCOW STATE RADIO
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS
Navah Perlman, pianist
Wednesday, February 25 at 7:30 PM
Rudder Auditorium
TICKETS: 845-1234
or www*MSCOPAS«com
LAGNIAPPE LECTURE SERIES:
Join us for an informal discussion previewing the concert!
Part of The OPAS Guild’s Patricia S. Peters Lagniappe
Lecture Series, the discussion will be held prior to the
performance at 6:30 PM in the Forsyth Center Galleries
of the Memorial Student Center.
buy tickets,
be inspired
■■■■■■■■■Hi
10
NATI01
Monday, February 16, 2004
THE BATTALIOS
Gas additive proposal shelved
How Bush reversed regulatory effort
By Pete Yost
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — The
Bush administration quietly
shelved a proposal to ban a
gasoline additive that contami
nates drinking water in many
communities, helping an indus
try that has donated more than
$1 million to Republicans.
The Environmental Protection
Agency’s decision had its origin
in the early days of President
Bush’s tenure when his adminis
tration decided not to move ahead
with a Clinton-era regulatory
effort to ban the clean-air addi
tive MTBE.
The proposed regulation said
the environmental harm of the
additive leaching into ground
water overshadowed its benefi
cial effects to the air.
The Bush administration
decided to leave the issue to
Congress, where it has bogged
down over a proposal to shield
the industry from some lawsuits.
That initiative is being led by
House Majority Leader Tom
DeLay, R-Texas.
The Associated Press
obtained a draft of the proposed
regulation that former President
Clinton’s EPA sent to the White
House on its last full day in
office in January 2001.
It said: “The use of MTBE
as an additive in gasoline pres
ents an unreasonable risk to
the environment.”
The EPA document went on
to say that “low levels of MTBE
can render drinking water sup
plies impotable due to its offen
sive taste and odor,” and the
additive should be phased out
over four years.
“Unlike other components of
gasoline, MTBE dissolves and
spreads readily in the ground
water ... resists biodegradation
and is more difficult and costly
to remove.”
People say MTBE-contammat
ed water tastes like turpentine.
In Santa Monica, Calif, the
oil industry will pay hundreds of
millions of dpllars because the
additive contaminated the city’s
water supply.
“We’re the poster child for
MTBE, and it could take
decades to clean this up,” said
Joseph Lawrence, the assistant
city attorney.
In 2000, the MTBE indus
try’s lobbying group told the
Clinton administration that lim
iting MTBE’s use by regulation
“would inflict grave economic
harm on member companies.”
Three MTBE producers
account for half the additive’s
daily output.
The three contributed
$338,000 to George W. Bush’s
presidential campaign, the
Republican Party and Republican
congressional candidates in 1999
and 2000, twice what they gave
Democrats, according to the
Center for Responsive Politics.
Since then, the three producers
have given just over$l million
to Republicans.
The producers are Texas-
based Lyondell Chemical and
MTBE industiy
donates to parties
Three companies responsible
for half of all MTBE fuel addita
contamination have contributed
nearly $2.0 million to both parties
since 1999.
Combined campaign
contributions, by party
■ Democrats ■ Republicans
$600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
■iiJ
1999-2000 '01-'02 2003
SOURCES: Center for Responsive
Politics; Federal Election Commission
Valero Energy and
Huntsman companies of
Lake City.
“This is a classic case of lie
Bush administration helping
campaign contributor friendssi
the expense of public he
said Frank O’Donnell, executk
director of the Clean AirTrusU
Washington-based environiM
tal group.
Huntsman spokesman Doi
Olsen, echoing comments
other MTBE producers, saii
“We were not a huge campaign
contributor and this
absolutely nothing to do
campaign donations. It hastodo
with good public policy.”
The industry says it
become a victim in a Washingtra
power struggle.
Coke probe still on after 7 months
By Harry R. Weber
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA — A government investigation into
business practices at The Coca-Cola Co. continues
seven months later, but several former federal
prosecutors following the case say they wouldn't
be surprised if no criminal charges are filed.
“From the things that I’ve seen, they’ve done
an internal investigation that refuted many of the
allegations. If that holds out and proves to be the
case, I would expect the government to reach a
similar conclusion,” said Richard Deane, a former
U.S. attorney in Atlanta.
Coke announced July 11 that federal prosecu
tors had launched a criminal investigation into
fraud allegations raised in a lawsuit filed by a
whistleblower against the world’s largest beverage
company. The Securities and Exchange
Commission also is conducting a formal probe.
In his lawsuit, former Coke manager Matthew
Whitley claimed Atlanta-based Coke rigged i
marketing test. Coke has since admitted that soik
of its employees undermined the marketing testa!
Burger King restaurants in Virginia in 2000.
Coke’s auditing committee, however, said it
found no evidence of more serious allegationsi
the lawsuit, including Whitley’s claim thafCofe
improperly shifted $4 million of capital funding to
a fountain project.
“Some people on the street might thini
where there’s smoke there must be fire, but thatmaj
not necessarily be true,” said Buddy Parker, ai
former federal prosecutor in the Atlanta office. “1
government might ultimately decide there isr
and there is no basis to bring forth charges.”
Spokesmen for the U.S. Attorney’s office tmJ
Coke have declined to comment on any aspectof
the investigation, which could take months!
to conclude. The investigation was not mentions!
by Coke officials when they released fourth-i
ter and year-end earnings last week.
Liberal Arts Career Week
"Get Ready for Career Fair!"
Monday, February 16,2004 Koldus 111,4:30-6:30 PM
*Find out what it takes to look and be your best at a career fair
^Helpful hints on resume writing, dressing for success, and marketing yourself
^General ideas for putting your best self forward
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After *
"Resume Day"
Wednesday, February 18,2004
Blocker lobby & Harrington south
outside entrance, 10 AM - 2 PM
*Have your resume critiqued for presentation to prospective employers
"Helpful hints on how you can best present your skills and experiences
"Liberal Arts Career Fair"
Friday, February 20,2004 Rudder Exhibit Hall 10 AM - 3 PM
"Meet with prospective employers regarding internships and permanent positions.
"Don't miss your opportunity to network and practice "marketing yourself
www.lasctamu.ora
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