Paul Tonko

I think we should be very careful about potentially creating new avenues for litigation that can allow polluters to delay cleanups.

Those recyclers have gone to court over EPA's failure to meet a statutory deadline that they say has constrained the recycling of coal ash with the attendant result of wasted resources, adverse economic impacts, and increased environmental…

That leg could delay then the cleanup of contaminated sites, could it not?

Simple is not an adjective I usually associate with Superfund, and I hope we are not embarking on an effort that will negate the progress we have made on site cleanups and the reuse of brown fields.

I believe for the record what we would like is a full discussion of the Superfund before the markup of the bills.

Public health and a clean environment are inextricably linked.

If we do not make these investments, we risk damaging the resources that we require to support a healthy, modern society.

Thoughtless policies like sequestration that blindly cut programs with no regard to their benefit or impact on the public, the environment or the economy will not put our fiscal house in order and can cause extreme damage.

I am concerned that with budget cuts and the sequester that we are falling even farther behind in maintaining these vital systems.

On rollcall No. 144, I was absent because of travel delays. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

I thank Representative Holt. I want to thank Chairman Hastings and Representative Markey and Representative Holt and other members of the Natural Resources Committee for working steadfastly together to bring this important bill to the…

It is time for a real debate on climate change--right here on the House floor. The members of the Safe Climate Caucus come to the floor to talk about this critical issue every day that the House is in session, but where are our Republican…

Thank you, Representative Blumenauer, for leading us in this discussion. I appreciate the fact that you've brought together this thoughtful discussion, this dialogue on how we need to embrace a stronger sense of stewardship with our…

I think this is something that could be addressed by delegating rulemaking authority to the EPA to establish criteria that would meet a standard of protection.

I believe it is absolutely critical that as we assist those in the industries involved with the guidelines, with the certainty, and with the policy initiated here that we can get things done to work in the best order possible.

You're a great leader also, so thank you for leading us in this discussion and leading us routinely on sound transportation quarters, including those bicycles that don't pollute.

Representative, if I might just add to that statement, the many discussions I have had with constituents who say where is the wisdom in sending hundreds of billions of dollars to foreign nations-- oftentimes enemies of this country--who…

We can have safe climate and good jobs.

If this were really about jobs, we would not have gone forward with sequester.

This project is not about jobs; it is about committing us to an oil-based economy for another 50 years or more.

The pipeline capacity issues in the Northeast region appears to be a greater constraint on natural gas distribution than in other areas.

Ensuring the safety of our citizens and avoiding serious disruption of our economy requires us to remain vigilant

The goal of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, the CFATS program, is to ensure that chemical facilities have robust plans to prevent terrorists from sabotaging them

While some progress has been made to address some of the shortcomings, there is still much more work to be done.

We cannot solve the federal government's budget problems without first helping families' household budget problems.