Environment Update
March 30, 2001
Volume II, Number 5
Debates Arise Over Arsenic Standard
On March 20, 2001, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would review an arsenic rule that was scheduled to take effect March 23, 2001. Finalized three days before the end of the Clinton administration, the rule would have lowered the current standard set in 1946 from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb. Opponents of the new standard claim that 10 ppb is too low and would be too costly for small rural drinking water systems to implement. In a March 29th announcement, President Bush stated that he WILL reduce the amount of arsenic allowed in drinking water, but only after further studies are conducted to determine where the level should be set. (Note: Legislation has been introduced to provide assistance to small communities to upgrade their existing drinking water infrastructure.)
Senators Seek Suspension of New Source Review Enforcement
Senators Breaux (D-La.) and Inhofe (R-Okla.) recently sent a letter to Vice President Cheney expressing concern that the EPA's New Source Review (NSR) enforcement policies related to the regulation of oil refineries threaten to interfere with the nation's ability to meet future energy and fuel supply needs. Inhofe stated, "The NSR enforcement policies enacted by the former administration are not acceptable and continue to pose major challenges to refineries trying to meet increasing fuel and energy demands. I am working with the administration and the EPA to develop an environmental policy which combines the protection of human health and the environment with a sound energy policy." The letter further urged Cheney, Chairman of the National Energy Policy Task Force, to suspend the current activities of the EPA until a thorough review of the policy and its implication could be completed.
Brownfields Update
The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee reached a compromise on brownfields legislation (S. 350) the week of March 19. Supporters of the bill hope the legislation will gain final passage in the Senate before the April 6-23 recess. For more details on S. 350 please refer to Environment Update Volume II, Number 4 or to our web site at www.ncsl.org/statefed/EvUV2N4.htm
Comment Period on Proposed CAFO Rules Extended
On March 26, 2001, EPA Administrator Christie Whitman announced her intention to extend for 75 days-through July 30, 2001-the public comment period for a proposal to reduce water pollution from large animal feedlot operations.
Mark Your Calendars
NCSL AFI Spring Meeting
May 10 - 12, 2001
Washington, D.C.
NCSL Contacts:
Molly Stauffer
Committee Director
(202) 624-3584
Laurie Holmes
Staff Assistant
(202)624-8695 |
