Hilda L. Solis: “I wholeheartedly support my colleague, Ms. Capps', amendment to eliminate the MTBE safe harbor liability shield. This…”

“I wholeheartedly support my colleague, Ms. Capps', amendment to eliminate the MTBE safe harbor liability shield. This provision is an unfunded mandate on our communities and water providers who will be left holding the tab while the polluters cash in. Our communities and those organizations representing them oppose this language. These include: The U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, the National Association of Towns and Townships, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, the American Water Works Association, the Association of California Water Agencies, the Western Coalition of Arid States, the American Public Works Association, and the National Water Resources Association. Supporters of this language, like the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, claim that 96 percent of cleanups are paid for by the responsible parties, insurance companies, or state cleanup funds, and that future cleanup funds will be adequately paid for. Similarly, supporters also believe that the funding this bill authorizes through the leaking underground storage tank trust fund will be sufficient to pay for cleanups. What supporters are ignoring is that the existing authorizing program for regular cleanups, not intended solely for MTBE cleanups, is severely underfunded and State programs are broke.…”