Hon. Michael G. Oxley: “the bill as passed by the House addresses two rulemakings in which EPA tried to use principles of sound risk management…”

“the bill as passed by the House addresses two rulemakings in which EPA tried to use principles of sound risk management but were prevented by the courts from doing so. Unfortunately, the current law, as interpreted by the courts, does not allow EPA to develop a reasonable set of regulations. Two weeks ago, the other body adopted, by voice vote, several amendments to the bill. The Senate amendments add underground injections wells to the 5-year study agreed to during the Commerce Committee's markup of the bill. The Senate amendments also address ground water monitoring concerns in Alaskan Native villages. Senator Chafee, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, has asked me to place into the Record a point of clarification consistent with the language of the House-passed bill. Specifically, it should be clear that the legislation does not modify, supplement, or otherwise affect the application or authority of any other Federal law or the standards applicable under any other Federal law, including the Clean Water Act. I would like to submit this letter for the Record. I am pleased to say H.R. 2036 has the strong support of the administration, the Ground Water Protection Council, the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials, and representatives of the industrial community.”