Conference seeks ways to combat acid rain

An interstate conference on acid rain -- perhaps the No. 1 environmental peril of the 1980s -- is being held April 8 by the Environmental Protection Agency. The participants include high-level delegations from most Eastern states and representatives from Canada, the Congress, electric and coal industries, and environmental groups.

Scientists believe acid rain -- blamed for damaging crops and forests and killing fish and aquatic life in the East and Canada -- results from the increased burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal.