Lois Capps: “I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this amendment that I'm offering with Representatives Carney…”

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this amendment that I'm offering with Representatives Carney and Castor addresses one of several concerns we have about this bill: its harmful impact on State programs that today are working to issue permits while protecting local air quality. Last month, the Energy and Power Subcommittee heard testimony from officials of the States of Delaware and California. Both expressed serious concerns about the impact of this bill on local air quality. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources has this to say about the legislation: ``The constraints placed on States' rights and authorities will adversely affect our State's ability to protect public health and welfare from the harmful effects of air pollution.'' The California Air Resources Board also testified that this measure ``could have far- reaching, unintended consequences on public health.'' California and its local air districts in some cases require emission controls that go beyond Federal law, and that is to address our unique pollution problems. For example, emissions from commercial harbor craft and oceangoing vessels represent the largest source of smog-forming air pollution in the entire Santa Barbara County. These emissions account for over 40 percent of our local air pollution. In response, the California Air Resources Board adopted rules to help coastal areas like California come into attainment with ozone and particulate matter air quality standards.…”