Environment Update
November 5, 2001
Volume II, Number 13
EPA Announces Arsenic Standard of 10 Parts Per Billion (PPB): Following months of review, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it will lower the maximum acceptable level for arsenic in drinking water from 50 ppb to 10 ppb-the same standard set by the outgoing Clinton Administration that was suspended by President Bush for further review. In a press conference, EPA Administrator Christie Whitman reiterated that the additional study and consultation have not delayed the compliance date for implementing a new standard for arsenic by 2006. "Instead it has reinforced the basis for the decision," said Whitman. In an October 31, 2001, letter to conferees responsible for the EPA's budget, Whitman recognized the challenges many small systems will face in complying with the standard, given their higher per capita costs and committed herself to working closely with states and small water systems to identify ways to reduce arsenic levels at a reasonable cost to ratepayers. EPA plans to provide $20 million over the next two years for research and development of more cost-effective technologies. In addition EPA will work with small communities to maximize grants and loans under the existing State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and Rural Utilities Service programs of the Department of Agriculture.
EPA Budget Update: The November 1, 2001, scheduled conference meeting on the VA-HUD appropriations bill (HR 2620) was postponed. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, (D-South Dakota) voiced his doubts on a pre-Thanksgiving adjournment to this year's congressional session. In response, Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) has threatened "If we come back after Thanksgiving, we're going to do an energy bill, period," according to several news sources. Stay tuned.
Budget Stimulus Update: On Tuesday, November 6, 2001, the Senate Finance Committee is expected to begin its markup of a budget stimulus package with a floor vote later this month. The debate is expected to start with a package combining a proposal by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana) that contains tax changes, assistance for displaced worker and medical assistance for the unemployed with a homeland defense package proposed by Senator Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia). Senator Byrd's proposal includes $2.1 billion for clean and safe drinking water projects. The House economic stimulus package, (H.R. 3090) costing $160 billion, earned passage on October 24, 2001, by a slim two vote margin.
Please refer to www.ncsl.org/statefed/stimchart.htm for a detailed comparison of the different proposals.
NCSL Contacts:
Molly Stauffer
Committee Director
(202) 624-3584
Laurie Holmes
Staff Assistant
(202)624-8695
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