Mitchell, Senator George

Prior to the announcement of the proposed legislation, internal debate between Presidential advisors was concerned over whether the bulk of the sulphur dioxide reduction requirements should be imposed on the 20 most heavily polluting plants, all situated in the Midwest, or spread around all US plants (New York Times. 10 June 1989). Original proposals, and earlier ones from Senators George Mitchell (Democrat, Maine) and Robert Byrd, would have forced the retrofit of FGD equipment or scrubbers. The eventual Bush proposals were directed at 107 plants in 18 states and allowed them to take several routes to compliance. 

Dr. Mohnen continued to blame the rain itself for acid rain when he testified before a House Subcommittee in late June 1981, but when he tried the same argument before the Senate Energy Committee in 1982, he ran into trouble from Senator George Mitchell. 

Another important political development was the replacement of the Senate majority leader, Senator Byrd, a long-time opponent of such controls, with George Mitchell of Maine, a strong proponent. 

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