No Pap

After spending 10 years and $500 million, the National Acidic Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) has delivered its definitive report on acid rain. It contains something to upset everyone concerned with federal acid rain policy.

Contrary to the assertions of fossil fuel–burning industries, NAPAP found that the sulfur and nitrogen air pollutants produced by these businesses are responsible for most, but not all, of the acidification plaguing lakes and streams in the eastern United States.

But, contrary to the claims of some environmentalists, NAPAP found that acid rain still isn't much of a problem. Although most acidification is caused by acid rain, only 4 percent of the lakes sampled are acidic. And there was no evidence that acid rain harms crops.