Friday, August 19, 2005

Adopt a Roberts' Box

I'm on a vacation day...and listening to one of my favorite radio guys...Hugh Hewitt. Today, Hugh lead off his show with announcement that the Reagan Library had released boxes of documents with John Roberts work at the White House Councils office. Hugh offered to let bloggers "adopt a box"...for the purpose of reviewing the contents and reporting back on what it contained. Took a break from cleaning...and here's what I found in my adopted box.

Contents of this box is are two memo's with John Robert's review and approval of a Press Statement and Presidential Remarks about results from a Joint Study on Acid Rain commissioned by Canada and the US. Also included are the tracking and routing sheets that accompanied the drafts of the press statement and Presidential remarks.

1) Memo dated 3/17/86

To: David Chew - Staff Secretary and Deputy Assistant to the President
From: John Roberts
What: A review, response and approval of a Press Statement about a joint study with Canada and the US on Acid Rain.

Tracking sheet showing the routing of the statement
Sheet showing persons the statement was sent to for action (reading and providing any comments by 4:00 PM that same day) and FYI copies as well.

Draft of a White House Press Statement: Brief overview...the President and Prime Minister Mulroney had commissioned Drew Lewis and William Davis in Quebec City to conduct a thorough study on acid rain and to report their findings by 1/8/86.

After reviewing their report the President fully endorsed the Joint Report of the Special Envoys. The report states that acid rain is a serious environmental problem in both the US and Canada.

US had pioneered air pollution controls and since 1970 had spent approx. $75 billion dollars since the passage of the Clean Air Act to limit emissions of pollutants (precursors of acid rain). By 1990, estimate that $100 billion will have been spent. As a result the emissions have declined significantly.

Joint report notes that more needs to be done. Administration has already provided substantial supports. From 1981 to 1985, $2.2 billion has been allocated for research for clean coal utilization.

Administration will continue to pursue a program to develop innovative control technologies. 1986, $700 million dollars have been earmarked for clean coal research between 1986 and 1991. Additionally $800 million in join industry and government program to develop clean ways to burn coal. Will seek to provide future funding.

Departments and agencies to take following steps to implement recommendations:
Identify and assess cost effective, innovative approaches to reduce emissions leading to acid rain.

  • Strengthen bilateral consultation and information exchanges with Canada.
  • Conduct interagency review of relevant research. (Reviews actions already taken.)
  • Concludes...that acid rain will be a continuing item on future summit meetings.

2) Memo dated 3/18/86

To: Ben Elliott - Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Speechwriter
From: John Roberts
What: A review, response and approval of Presidential remarks about a joint study with Canada and the US on Acid Rain.

Tracking sheet showing the routing of the statement
Sheet showing persons the statement was sent to for action (reading and providing any comments ASAP that same day) and FYI copies as well. Directed to give comments directly to Ben Elliott and copy correspondent Chew.

Brief Presidential statement on 3/18/86, at 3:00 PM (NBC/Elliott)

Similar to the above press release...only briefer...and not as detailed. The President speaking with Bill Davis and Drew Lewis present. The President gives a brief overview on the joint commissioned study. Acknowledges Davis and Lewis' presence and commends them for their work and expresses appreciation for their balanced report.

Endorses the report and tells a press release will be forth coming shortly.

Acknowledges that acid rain will continue to be on the agenda. That scientific and economic problems remain to be resolved. Continued cooperation and good will between Canada and the US on this common problem will benefit future generations in both countries.

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