Gerald Kleczka: “I do not know what the correct level of radium in the water should be. However, I should point out to the Members that…”

“I do not know what the correct level of radium in the water should be. However, I should point out to the Members that at one point the EPA was saying that level should be 20 pico Curies, which is a measurement of radio activity in water. Now they are coming by to the various communities saying that level should be five. Well, Congress some years ago in 1996 asked them for a study and to give us some hard evidence. The gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) says we should have some hard evidence so we can make that decision. I agree totally with that statement. We already asked for that and the EPA has not been forthcoming. Yes, they did the study on radon and they linked the radium standard to a radon study, which is totally inappropriate. So I agree with the chairman that hopefully we can work on some report language. I was told just a few hours ago that now the EPA was not going to issue this regulation, this rule, in fiscal year 2000 anyway.”