Political Quotes

“We have had a good afternoon on debating the many amendments that have been brought forward. Let me just briefly, in this short time, talk about what we have done. We have taken the recent EPA rule and codified it. In other words, we set it into statutory language so it can be enforceable. That allows States to set up State permitting programs that can be enforced. We trust States with what we call the Solid Waste Disposal Act, which is RCRA, to protect the Great Lakes. I think we can trust the States, in working with minimal Federal standards, to do the same thing. The EPA, three times, has determined that coal ash is not toxic--the EPA has determined three times. In 1993, in 2000, and with their recently released rule in December, they said coal ash is not toxic. I am going to end on two letters that we mentioned in the bill markups and on the floor. We have the group called ECOS, Environmental Council of the States, which all the States' EPA directors; and also another group, called ASTSWMO, which is the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials, which is in all territories; and the Western Governors' Association. There is not a single dissent. The Western Governors' Association includes California, Oregon, and Washington State. They all support H.R. 1734 because it actually does the opposite of what my colleague claimed. It strengthens the law. It codifies our ability to enforce the result so that our communities are safe.…”