Hilda L. Solis: “I also rise today to discuss H.R. 6131, legislation to make technical corrections to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. We…”

“I also rise today to discuss H.R. 6131, legislation to make technical corrections to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. We are here today to make these technical corrections because of the hastily drafted Energy Policy Act of 2005. As ranking Democrat of the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, which has authorization over the leaking underground storage tank program, I will support the policy to fix this piece of legislation. However, the bill should not mask the failure of the Bush administration and the Republican-led Congress to adequately fund this Federal program. The Leaking Underground Storage Tank program is responsible for protecting groundwater and local drinking water supplies by preventing and cleaning up MTBE and petroleum contamination from leaking underground storage tanks in our communities. More than a year ago, Congress dramatically increased the funding authorization for the EPA Leaking Underground Storage Tank program to $605 million annually. This increase was necessary to support additional clean-ups of leaky tanks to ensure States have funding to carry out new inspections, operator training, delivery prohibition, and secondary containment requirements. However, President Bush proposed a reduction in funding to clean up MTBE and petroleum from the tens of thousands of leaking tanks throughout the country in his fiscal year 2007 budget. The budget which has been approved by the rubber-stamp Congress, in my opinion, is outrageous.”