Transcripts For CSPAN3 EPA 20240703 : vimarsana.com

CSPAN3 EPA July 3, 2024

We take you live now to the house science, space, Technology Committee hearing featuring epa administrator Michael Regan. The hearing will review the Environmental Protection Agency Science and technical activities and their use he will order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recesses of the committee at any time. Before my Opening Statement i would also like to request unanimous consent to submit chairman lucas stopped Opening Statement to the bracket. I recognize myself for five minutes for Opening Statement. I would like to welcome everyone to this mornings hearing, science and technology at the Environmental Protection agency. Im pleased to welcome epa administrator Michael Regan for the first time in front of the Science Committee. In fact it is the first time any epa administrator has testified since 2019 and we have a lot to discuss. Thank you for coming. I appreciate you joining us today. I have to say her testimony was sent to the committee unacceptably late. We require witnesses to send written testimony no less than 48 hours ahead of the hearing. Our members need time to review your statements so we can prepare for the discussions and ask thoughtful and informed questions. We invited you to testify in july and you have plenty of time to meet this deadline and while you have internal review process, Previous Administration witnesses had no problem handing in testimony on time. Given the importance of science at uva, it is my hope, and chairman lucass that the admission will come before the committee regularly in the future so i that the next time you will join us, you will have testimony ahead of time and you can have the most productive discussion possible. Anticipate much of todays conversation will focus on the use of science and technology in epas regulatory, and when necessary, the regulatory agenda. And although its been a while since we have heard it, every epa administrator that has come before our committee has stressed the need for scientific integrity at the epa and importance of relying on the expertise of career staff and scientists when crafting the regulations and policies of the agency. That reliance on science is especially important today given the fact the Biden Administration epa has promulgated 1083 rolls to date, nearly 55 roles a month, since the president took office. There is no industry exempt from the wide range of topics these rules cover, from pesticides in agriculture to emissions for power plants. The chemicals and manufacturing regulations have the potential to hamstring our economy, it is not achievable and based on science. Administrator begins epa set ambitious goals, reducing emissions from the power sector by 80 , having two thirds of the cars on the road be zero emission at eliminating all methane emissions in the country just to name a few. Admirable as those they be, we simply cannot set goals without analyzing the economic and social costs to achieve them. We cannot flip the switch, off domestic fossil Energy Production unless we have reliable and affordable replacements otherwise hospitals and military bases would go dark, families would struggle to make ends meet, businesses will close and lights would be last. We need to be realistic about what these goals require from the people we serve. Additionally todays hearing is an opportunity to get an update from the administrator on the 100 billion influx of funding the agency has received from the ira. No matter what side of the spectrum used on, this pace of spending is undeniably vulnerable to the waste, fraud and abuse. This funding has led the potential to positively impact crucial sectors of our economy. Also have the potential to fund wasteful project that line the project pockets of select temperamental groups and Proper Technology that will never achieve success on their own in the market. We must carefully examine the agencys processes to set up programs, get money out the door and monitor the progress of projects, well into the future. I want to think the admission her for being here today and i will end with a bit of the sentiment. Testifying is a lot like a doctors appointment. We are purposely looking for things that are wrong and you were here criticisms on how things look. It is because we want to prevent actions from turning into unfixable problems. Everyone here wants effective smoothly running Environmental Protection agency and today is a necessary step to ensuring that. I hope we can Work Together to ensure epa is doing things for people and not to people. I want to recognize Ranking Member, john a woman from california for her Opening Statements. I think you very much and thank you administrator, for being here with us today. Before saying anything else, i want to say how delighted i am to see chairman lucas, back here. Mr. Lucas, on behalf of all members and staff on the side of the aisle, we are wishing you continued success on your recovery. We stand ready to do whatever we can to assist, and it is really terrific to see you back. I also want to discuss the epas research and development work. The epa has a unique and really important mission, to put humans and Environmental Health at the center of everything we do. The office of research and development serves a crucial role in that mission. The office strives to drive science that regulatory losses depend on to ensure they are Setting Health protective standards. It puts out stateoftheart assessments, that state, local, and tribal governments rely on to protect resident plants. Epa laboratories across the country monitor air for pollutants, soil for contaminants, like pfas and wanted to track viruses like covid19. All americans, whether they know it or not depend on the epa to deliver on his clear mandate to Prioritize Health and safety above all else. Under your leadership, this epa has made incredible efforts to bring this mission to Environmental Justice communities. These communities have been on the front lines of really devastating pollution, by industry and sometimes by the federal government itself. Some beer and incredibly high risk of cancer due to unfettered dumping by chemical companies. Others worry that environmental contaminants and anemic government responses will have irreversible impact on their childrens development. They have been neglected in programs that have prioritized clean water, energy efficiency, and climate resilience, and other better resourced areas. The epas new office of Environmental Justice and external civil rights is an important step in addressing these needs and connecting these communities with much needed information and resources. Im proud of the work we did in the last congress to fund this effort. The Inflation Reduction Act provided 41 billion to the agency, to advance Environmental Justice and the bipartisan infrastructure lot included 50 billion to improve water of the structure and quality. I look forward to hearing how congress can continue to support this important work. Now i would be remiss not to note, the larger context of this meeting today, we are hurtling toward a Government Shutdown. There is an infighting, taking priority over the functioning of our government and by extension, the health and well being of all americans. Administrator regan is a perfect witness to put this into perspective. This year we have seen at least 23 weather and climate related disasters with losses exceeding 1 billion. In the thick of hurricane season, how will epa determine that it is safe to drink the water . Following the next devastating storm, epa provides Rapid Response to manmade disasters as well. What if there is another catastrophic Train Derailment like we saw earlier this year in ohio . The epa cant effectively respond and inform evacuation orders and their hands are tied by the manufacturing crisis. I hope your testimony, mr. Regan, can inform the larger body of just how many serious consequences of the shutdown, that we face, would exist. As you know, from my previous comments, i also want to raise the issue of the last leaded fuel and transportation, and that is unleaded fuel in general aviation airlines. We have a situation where children are being poisoned by the lead in these fuels. We have a study out of my own county, showing that the airborne particles from emissions and small planes have actually elevated the lead in the blood levels of children near the airport, to rival lent, michigan. We need to do something soon and aggressive, about this Health Problem and im hoping you can talk further about that as this hearing goes on. With that, mr. Chairman, i look forward to our witnesses testimonies and opportunity to ask further questions. And i yield back. Thank you to the Ranking Member. I would like to introduce the chairman of the full committee, mr. Lucas, for Opening Statements. Thank you, mr. Chairman and my official Opening Statement has been entered into the record but i would like to take just a moment to thank the Ranking Member and all of the subcommittee chairman, who have handled the hearings, while ive been gone. And for that matter the membership on both sides of the room. This committee is a very productive committee. We are very focused on the ability to accomplish things. In my absence, i am very appreciative of and while i may move slower for a little bit longer, i have Great Expectations about what we are going to accomplish for the rest of the session. And again, thank you to all of my colleagues, you have been wonderful. I yield back, mr. Chairman picks but thank you, mr. Chairman. I would like to recognize a gentlewoman from North Carolina to introduce our witness. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Again, it is wonderful to see chairman lucas back. We have missed him and he has been such a great leader of this committee. It is a privilege to introduce my friend, and fellow north carolinians, administrator Michael Regan. Administrator regans distinguished service at the North Carolina department of Environmental Quality set a strong example for other states around the country. And now we are sharing him with the whole country. Hes been a real champion in addressing pfas contamination in particular. My North Carolina colleague congressman rouser and i have seen the worldclass Water Treatment facility on the Cape Fear River and our state and local government would not have gotten to this point without administrator regans outstanding work in this area. Now, at the epa, he and his staff are working tirelessly to tackle the pfas contamination problem and many others. He recognizes that we have a duty at the federal level to protect the health and safety of our people. Our communities, and our environment. In order to move this country forward. Thank you for your leadership, administrator regan and i look forward to hearing your testimony. Thank you mr. Chairman, i yield that. Administrator regan you are recognized for five minutes to present testimony. Good morning, everyone and chairman lucas, thank you for personally inviting me in april at the Agriculture Committee to join you today. Im glad to be here. Ranking member members of the committee, i appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the role of science at the Environmental Protection agency. Protecting Public Health and the environment is epas privilege and greatest responsibility and is a science based agency, sound and reliable science is central to all our work. Epa continues to uphold the biden harris demonstration of commitment to rely on science which is Public Health and environmental challenges like pfas, the Climate Crisis, light, Water Quality, wildfires, threats to childrens health, and many others. As we do this important work, we are guided by the fundamental belief that the health of people, of our environment, and our economy go handinhand. We have a golden opportunity not only to make communities healthier and safer, but to deliver lifechanging programs in these communities that catalyze local and Economic Growth and good paying jobs. And we are committed to scientific integrity, to help us achieve our ambitious climate and economic goals. Are dedicated and talented staff work on many Critical Issues and am looking forward to sharing some of our work with you today. Over the past years weve taken strides to ensure all people have access to clean and safe Drinking Water. For far too long coming communities across the United States have been exposed to harmful pfas. In october 2021, epa released its pfas strategic road map. A coordinator strategy to protect the public and the environment from this deadly chemical compound. As science continues to develop, we know more now than ever about pfas and how it can cause Adverse Health impacts that can devastate entire communities. Earlier this year, the epa propose the firstever legal limit for pfas informed by the hard work and analysis of epa scientist. We expect to issue a final Drinking Water role in coming months. And while science has helped make significant progress, we have a lot of work to do to increase our understanding of pfas. Are scientists are focusing on methods to measure pfas in our environment, and understanding the risk on her health and echo systems and on ways we can reduce pfas that are already in our environment. Epa will continue making progress by working in close collaboration with tribes, states, communities, and other stakeholders including congress, to enact and implement pfas solutions that follow the science and standard day should stand the test of time. I am grateful to congress for providing 10 billion from the bipartisan structure lot to address emerging contaminants which weve begun this evening. Im hopeful and optimistic that epa scientist lead to a cleaner and healthier future for all. Epa is using science to address many of the issues wildfires present to her health, and our environment. Over the past 20 years, the numbers of acres burned annually due to wildfires in the United States has doubled. Wildfires are a major source of air pollution and emissions can travel thousands of miles, impacting the health of millions. This past summer we saw the smoke from wildfires in canada bring dangerous air pollution to the midwest and east coast and last month we saw how wildfires in maui brought unimaginable loss to families, homes and businesses. Epa scientists are developing new ways to model and monitor the emissions and are working to understand what additional toxins might be present in the smoke. Particularly for wildfires that cross into urban areas and burn manmade structures. Lastly i would like to speak about the work our agency has done involving light exposure. Science is clear, there is no safe level of exposure to lead. Period. Epa is and has been a leader in president bidens government approach to protecting families and children from that exposure. To date, the initiation has funded the removal of over 100,000 lead Service Lines and that number was significantly increased thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law. Are scientists will continue to research and develop ways to reduce lead exposure until we meet president bidens goal of replacing 100 of lead Service Lines. Epas committed to taking actions that are backed by sound, quality, and Peer Reviewed science. From her actions to address and cleanup pfas to providing information that helps people during wildfires, to decisions that protect our nations drinking and recreational waters, science is the backbone of all we do at epa. And while im proud of the foundation we have late, theres still much more work to do, to ensure all our children have safe, Healthy Places to live, learn and play. Thank you for the opportunity to be here today and submit testimony for the record. I look forward to continued partnership and to achieving these ambitious yet necessary goals and i welcome all questions. Thank you. Thank you commitment letter for your testimony, thank you again. The chair recognizes himself for five minutes. Mystery companies in ohio generate roughly 3. 5 billion in earnings and 1. 3 billion in taxes and exports from production plants, exceeding 6. 5 billion. That is why im concerned by the epos update to the chemical regulation under the toxics substance control act, particularly as it relates to pfas and manufacturing of semiconductors. The Semiconductor Industry association went as far as saying the proposed action would have

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