That whatever approach is taken there will be in terms of how to deal with the carbon. Should be adaptable. Other the industrial processes are not power generators. I think you had some ethynol plant data up there as well. Bob made the point exactly that its sources of co 2, its not just coal, certainly not just natural gas. Its steel plants and cement plants. We did spend quite a bit of time this is a panel that will talk about the economic competitiveness on what are some of the lessons that our experiences with ccs then we can really make the pie, the Ccs Technology or the equipment pie bigger and that to become a lot more viable industry or sector per say. But i dont know. What are some of the ways that you think that we should be thinking about it . I think its important to point out im not an expert here. Emphasize that storing co 2 can be done. We know how to do it. Lets start there. Some states are trying to address this. What are the real issues surrounding large, large volume
Priority for me is the issue of Environmental Justice and making sure the states are providing adequate direction in order to achieve the interest of local income and minority communities. In cases where safe may not be sure how to conduct Environmental Justice analysis or how to define an Environmental Justice community then i believe that it would be very helpful if the epa provided states with guidance Technical Assistance and resources to help protect the most vulnerable communities that have the least amount of influence to help themselves. Can you speak to this issue and assure me that the epa is listening and working with the Environmental Justice groups as the agencies prepares to finalize the rule and two the agencies will provide states with guidance data, tools and resources to help identify and protect these communities i can assure you of that,ranking member and point out the Environmental Justice budget is given an increase this year which will go a long way to provide th
Industry to make sure we werent being overly aggressive about the ability to have the technologies available for full implementation. Has epa actually quantified how much of the voc reduction the nsps has actually yielded to this point . We do have a good signal from our Greenhouse Gas reporting program that its already been tremendously effective at reducing Carbon Pollution because Carbon Pollution is reduced as youre catching those volatile organic compounds. So we do have a very good sense that this is being effective already. I understand its already about 190 to 290,000 tons. Thats right. Is the estimate. Has epa quantified methane reductions as a cobenefit . We have and i can provide those numbers. I dont have them at the tip of i think i have them. Its about 73 decrease . Excellent. So in january this year the white house released a strategy of reducing oil pollution. They released pro terrible resources like oil wells pumps leaks as well as well sites and compression stations.
We are trying to work with the agency on it but its difficult and its a scientific veterinarian i look at these things as a scientific person i want to have the standards based on good science. Even beyond that it would appear the current Regional Administration has their own mindset about whats going to be done regardless of whats being talked about by the collaborative partners in the region and we are having trouble getting this decision and i think it was the middle of 2013. There was a promise of additional help from folks here in d. C. To maybe move things along at an accelerated pace and again in january there was some discussion with the department of Environmental Quality to help get the job done. So i guess the basic questions here that decision was supposed to be coming here in 2016. We have heard its going to be put off until 2017. We have been hearing about this for a lot of years in the uncertainty creates a big problem for Economic Development in a region. We are trying
Achieve the interests of local income local low income and minority communities. In cases where states may not be sure how to conduct Environmental Justice analysis or how to define an Environmental Justice community then i believe it would be helpful if the epa provided states with guidance and resources to help protect their most vulnerable communities which we all know have the least amount of influence to help themselves. Can you speak to this issue and assure me that one, epa is listening and working with the Environmental Justice as the agency prepares to finalize the rule skprks two, the agency will provide states with guidance data, tools and resources to help identify and protect these communities . I can assure you of that Ranking Member and i would also point out that our Environmental Justice budget is given an increase of 7. 3 million this year which will go a long way to helping us provide those tools. Gentlemans time is expired. Gentleman from texas, mr. Barton for five