Environment Update
October 23, 2000
Volume I, Number 3
VA-HUD Appropriations
On October 19, both the House and Senate approved H.R. 4635 (the appropriations bill for Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies) providing $7.8 billion in fiscal year 2001 for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The bill provides level funding-$1.35 billion-for the clean water state revolving fund, a three percent hike for the drinking water state revolving fund and $209 million for state and local grants under the Clean Air Act. Other provisions include a requirement that the EPA contract with the National Academy of Science to prepare an analysis by June 2001, of the monitoring data needed for development and implementation of the Clean Air Act's Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) program. A second directs EPA to conduct a comprehensive assessment within 120 days of enactment of potential state costs to develop and implement the TMDLs. The president is expected to sign the bill.
Proponents of CARA Bill Unsatisfied with Substitution
Supporters of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act CARA-H.R. 701-were less than pleased October 11, when President Clinton signed the Department of Interior's spending bill for fiscal year 2001. Although the compromise provides a major boost in funding for land acquisition, conservation and maintenance programs, the funds will be subject to annual discretionary appropriations. The original CARA proposal guaranteed funding for state programs and would not have been subject to the annual appropriations process.
MTBE Legislation Not Likely this Year
The Federal Reformulated Fuels Act of 2000 (S. 2962)-which would ban the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as a gasoline additive-was significantly hurt last month when Rep. Bud Shuster (R-Pa) and Rep. Bill Archer (R-Texas) opposed the legislation in a September 29 letter to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill). In particular, the letter opposed an increase in the use of ethanol-an alternative to MTBE-because it would translate into a loss of revenue for the Highway Trust Fund. Ethanol is taxed at a lower rate than gasoline, and some of the tax revenue from ethanol-mixed gasoline is maintained in the federal treasury rather than deposited in the Highway Trust Fund.
EPA Case Scheduled in Supreme Court
On November 7, 2000 the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments (Environmental Protection Agency v. American Trucking Associations, Inc., et al) to decide if the EPA interpreted its authority under the Clean Air Act so broadly that it violated the constitutional nondelegation doctrine. The decision could potentially affect the power of the EPA. Look for an update in the next issue of Environment Update.
Taping at NCSL Meeting
Thanks to the National Cable Television Association (NCTA), free taping of public service announcements (PSA) will be made available to all legislators during NCSL's AFI/ASI winter meeting in Washington, D.C., December 13-15. NCTA will provide production facilities, sample scripts and will send completed PSAs to the legislator's local cable company. A sign up form is attached. For further information contact Bonnie at NCTA at 202-775-1089 or bchernikoff@ncta.com
Staff Contacts:
Molly Stauffer, Committee Director, (202) 624-3584 molly.stauffer@ncsl.org
Laurie Holmes, Committee Assistant, (202)624-8695 laurie.holmes@ncsl.org
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