Trent Lott: “I am pleased to note that, once again, American business has succeeded in significantly reducing the amount of chemicals…”

“I am pleased to note that, once again, American business has succeeded in significantly reducing the amount of chemicals released into the environment. According to the most recent report from the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Data Release of 1994, releases of chemicals declined nearly nine percent between 1993 and 1994. Since the TRI began in 1988, overall chemical releases have dropped more than 44 percent. This decline is particularly impressive because it has occurred in tandem with economic growth. This is an environmental success story. This successful reduction affirms that an approach to environmental protection which encourages the participation of states and businesses can and does work. It argues for a continuation of approaches to environmental protection that use voluntary solutions, technological innovations and increased flexibility. As the report shows, we should have confidence in this successful public policy strategy. Unfortunately, though, these promising statistics have been ignored.”