Clean Water Act: Bill heads for house vote
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved and sent to the House floor a bill to scale back regulations under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Amending clean water legislation has been one of the top items on the Republican regulatory reform agenda. The bill removes federal jurisdiction over stormwater runoff and abandons national standards for pesticide, fertilizer, and other agricultural runoff. The committee okayed the bill despite strong objections from Democrats, some state regulators, and environmental groups. State water pollution regulators say the bill fails to set clear water quality goals, sets protection standards too low, and stretches the use of risk assessment and cost benefit analyses too far. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC; Washington) says the legislation is {open_quotes}a dirty water bill{close_quotes} that was {open_quotes}crafted by industries and cities seeking loopholes and exemptions.{close_quotes} Effects of the proposed bill, says NRDC, will include {open_quotes}more toxic water pollution from industries{close_quotes} and an {open_quotes}inevitable repeal of chemical discharge limits.{close_quotes} The chemical industry, however, is cheering the legislation. CMA calls the CWA amendments a {open_quotes}smart bill{close_quotes} and says it {open_quotes}emphasizes cost-effective risk reduction without compromising environmental protection,{close_quotes} CMA says that by requiring EPA to conduct risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis for clean water rules, the bill will {open_quotes}help the agency use its resources wisely and focus on those areas where the most good can be accomplished.{close_quotes}
- OSTI ID:
- 508308
- Journal Information:
- Chemical Week, Journal Name: Chemical Week Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 156; ISSN CHWKA9; ISSN 0009-272X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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