On the recordSeptember 16, 2020
Natural disasters ripping through the Nation today are urgent reminders that we must be better stewards of the natural environment, including the Great Lakes. Yet, recent actions of the Trump administration's Environmental Protection Agency do just the opposite. In August, the EPA issued a rule allowing the release of toxic metals, like arsenic and mercury, into lakes, rivers, and streams near power plants that use them. This is the wrong strategy and is bad for America and bad for Americans. For decades, communities across western New York have been working together to bring back waterways, like the Buffalo River, that were once declared ecologically dead due to toxic industrial pollution. Successful efforts like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative solidified the Federal role to improve water quality in the Great Lakes, restore aquatic habitat, and provide new recreational opportunities for all. Madam Speaker, I strongly oppose the EPA's destructive policies, and I urge my colleagues to recommit themselves to prioritizing long-term sustainability of the natural environment. ____________________
