Frank Pallone: “In support of my amendment. Mr. Chairman, this bill is dangerous for human health and the environment, in part, because…”

“In support of my amendment. Mr. Chairman, this bill is dangerous for human health and the environment, in part, because it deletes or undermines important protections in EPA's final coal ash rule. The deleted requirements include location restrictions, like a bar on disposing of coal ash directly in contact with natural aquifers. The undermined requirements include groundwater protection standards and monitoring requirements, which States would be able to change as they see fit. And all of the requirements, including design, maintenance, and operation requirements, would be delayed. My amendment, however, focuses on just one of these dangerous shortcomings, which I think is very important, and illustrates the fundamental issues with this bill. EPA's rule establishes a strong national floor for public disclosure of information. The rule specifies what information will be made available to the public and how it must be posted. Utilities will have to maintain pages on their Web sites that document their compliance with a wide range of criteria in the rule, including inspections and groundwater monitoring data. These requirements will inform and empower communities and hold utilities accountable. Concerned citizens won't have to navigate an array of State agencies and offices to find out if the coal ash impoundment in their neighborhood is contaminating groundwater.…”