Ed Whitfield: “I would just remind everyone that even if EPA fails to do its job, the bill makes clear that nothing relieves new…”

“I would just remind everyone that even if EPA fails to do its job, the bill makes clear that nothing relieves new facilities of their obligations to install the best available control technology in attainment areas and the lowest available emissions rate technology in non-attainment areas. I would also say that while my amendment allows those States who want to go on and implement the new regulation without the guidance, they can do that; but on the other hand, our legislation is designed to protect those States and those entities who find that they are unable to interpret the new regulation. And because of that uncertainty, it has been the experience of many companies, when they build new facilities with technology under new regulations, they end up being sued over it frequently. So this legislation is about common sense. This amendment allows those States that want to implement the stricter standard, they have the ability to do that. I would urge the adoption of this amendment and the passage of this bill. I yield back the balance of my time. {time} 1000”