Max Baucus: “I rise to speak in opposition to the Murkowski amendment on risk- and cost-benefit analysis of regulatory actions. While…”

“I rise to speak in opposition to the Murkowski amendment on risk- and cost-benefit analysis of regulatory actions. While many of us believe that the protection of human health and the environment is important, we also recognize that the cost of this protection must be considered in the development of environmental policy. However, risk is a complex and relatively new tool and we must proceed cautiously. As we set priorities, we must be more mindful of the costs and burdens to States, municipalities, industry, and private citizens. We also must have a commitment to the American people to maintain the environmental progress we have achieved during the last 20 years. Also, let me remind all of my colleagues that Executive Order 12286, written under the Clinton administration, already requires a full cost and benefit assessment of every major Federal regulation. Let me quote from the order: Each agency shall assess the costs and the benefits of the intended regulation and, recognizing that some costs and benefits are difficult to quantify, propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its costs. Let's remember, risk analysis has a simple purpose. That is to protect our environment. It must never become--as I suspect some hope it will become--a way to gut environmental laws and regulations. Just the opposite--it is a way to set priorities and protect the environment more effectively.”