House continues extreme anti-environmental rampage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed Rep. Bill Shuster’s (R-Pa.) bill, H.R. 1732, that would undermine the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Rule by a vote of 261-155. This bill requires that the EPA reach “consensus” with certain state and municipal governments on what streams and wetlands the Clean Water Act covers, effectively blocking the rulemaking all together. This bill follows numerous hearings, including an unprecedented joint session, on the rule.
If finalized the Clean Water Rule would restore the Clean Water Act’s protections to many of our nation’s streams, rivers and wetlands — sources of drinking water for 117 million Americans. The rule also provides an annual benefit of $388-514 million by reducing flooding, filtering pollution, providing wildlife habitats, supporting hunting and fishing, and recharging groundwater. More than 800,000 Americans called on the EPA to finalize the strongest possible Clean Water Rule.
Friends of the Earth’s Oceans and Vessels Program Director Marcie Keever offers the following statement in response:
Today’s attack on American drinking water spearhead by Rep. Shuster is yet another attempt by Republican leadership to rollback protections for public health. Republican leadership continues to put the profits of polluting corporations above the public safety by trying to make it easier for them to poison the air we breathe and the water we drink. Sound science and public input were still not enough to encourage this Congress to choose public safety over polluter profits.
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Expert contact: Marcie Keever, (510) 900-3144, [email protected]
Communications contact: Kate Colwell, (202) 222-0744, [email protected]