Environment Update
February 21, 2001
Volume II, Number 3
The Latest on Brownfields
On Feb. 15, 2001, members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee introduced S. 350-identical to S. 2700 from the 106th Congress-aimed at expanding the cleanup of contaminated industrial sites. Primary co-sponsors of the bill are Senate EPW Committee Chairman Bob Smith (R-NH), ranking committee member Harry Reid (D-NV), Superfund Subcommittee Chairman Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and subcommittee ranking member Barbara Boxer (D-CA). Although the bill garnered broad bipartisan support-66 cosponsors-during the 106th Congress, the measure was blocked due to a written agreement between Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID). Senator Crapo opposed S. 2700 because he was concerned that the legislation would interfere with overhauling the Superfund law. Senator Lott promised to block efforts to change the Superfund program in exchange for Crapo's support for a bill exempting scrap metal dealers from complying with the Superfund law. That agreement has expired. A staff person in Senator Crapo's office said "although the Senator will not co-sponsor the bill, [the Senator] does have a commitment from the Chairman [Senator Smith] to make [the bill] more state friendly." Staff from the offices of Senators Voinovich (R-OH) and Inhofe (R-OK) confirmed that neither Senator will sign onto the current version of the bill, but added that the Senators "will work with Senator Smith," on the issue. A markup is expected in early March. Two other bills aimed at expanding the cleanup up brownfields have been introduced in the 107th Congress. On Jan. 22, Senator Lott (R-MS) (for Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)) introduced S. 23-the New Urban Agenda Act of 2001; and on Jan 31, Representative Boehlert (R-NY) introduced H.R. 324-Recycle America's Land Act of 2001. For more information on brownfields, please see NCSL's Issue Brief: Brownfields at www.ncsl.org/statefed/brwnfdIB.htm.
On the Clean Air Front
Reducing air emissions from utilities will be the second priority behind brownfields for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, according to Committee Chairman Senator Bob Smith (R-NH). Although the committee has not begun to draft a bill, the proposal-a cap and trade program for utilities-should surface late this summer. Stay tuned!
CARA is Back
On Feb. 14, 2001, Representative Don Young (R-AK) reintroduced the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA). The bill-again numbered H.R. 701-directs $3.1 billion per year (an increase from last year's proposal of $2.8 billion) from outer continental shelf oil gas receipts to a variety of conservation programs. Look for more details in the next edition of Environment Update.
New Report: Water Infrastructure Now
In this report, the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN) calls for a five-year, $57 billion federal investment in drinking water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure to replace aging pipes, upgrade treatment systems, and continue to protect public health and the environment. The report also urges Congress to create a long-term, sustainable sources of federal funding for clean and safe water. WIN is a non-partisan coalition of local elected officials, drinking water and waste water service providers, environmental groups, labor unions, and construction and engineering professionals. The report was released on Feb. 13, 2001 and is available at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/
Note: On Feb. 6, 2001 Senator Voinovich (R-OH) introduced S 252-the Clean Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 2001. The bill would authorize an increase from $1.35 billion to $3 billion in annual funding for the State water pollution control revolving fund. I would also provide assistance to small systems-those that serve a population of 20,000 or fewer inhabitants. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
NCSL Contacts:
Molly Stauffer
Committee Director
(202) 624-3584
Laurie Holmes
Staff Assistant
(202)624-8695
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