To the Editor: Having worked the last three summers for
an environmental group, I was disappointed to read of the defeat of measures to
strengthen the Clean Air Act (news analysis Oct. 7). It is disturbing that
despite widespread public concern about air pollution and acid rain, the
President and Congress continue to resist these efforts. Though there is reason to hope that the
departures of Mr. Reagan as President and of Robert Byrd as Senate majority
leader will facilitate the passage of clean air measures in 1989, it seems
unlikely that near-future legislation would satisfy environmentalists. As long as
the ''foul-air lobby'' is powerful in Washington, many Congressmen from the
Middle West will oppose strict standards on sulfur and nitrogen emissions. Last summer I canvassed door-to-door in
eastern Connecticut, attempting to persuade citizens to support a strong Clean
Air Act. An overwhelming majority did. It seems unfortunate that the wishes of
tens of millions of Americans are being sacrificed in the short-term interest
of the polluters. JOSIAH BROWN New Haven, Oct. 7, 1988