Transcripts For CSPAN3 EPA 20240703 : comparemela.com

Transcripts For CSPAN3 EPA 20240703

The head of the Environmental Protection agency, Michael Regan testified on the use of science and technology in epas regulatory decisionmaking process before the health science, space and Technology Committee. He also spoke on how a potential Government Shutdown could impede the epas work, including protecting vulnerable communities from pollutants. This hearing is just under three hours. Our website. 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 the committee will come to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recesses of the committee at any time. Opening statements. Before my Opening Statement i would like to also request unanimous consent to submit chairman lucass Opening Statement for the record. I now recognize myself for five minutes for an 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 very first time in front of the Science Committee. In fact, this is the first time any epa administrator has testified since 2019 so we certainly have a lot here to discuss. Thank you for coming. While i appreciate you joining us today, i have to say your testimony was sent to the committee unacceptably late. We require witnesses to share their written testimony no less than 48 hours ahead of our hearing. This isnt an arbitrary deadline. Our members need time to review your statements so we can fully prepare for these discussions and ask thoughtful and informed questions. We invited you to testify in july, so you had plenty of time to meet this deadline, and while i know you have an internal review process, Previous Administration witnesses have had no problem getting us there testimony on time. Given the importance of science at epa, its my hope and chairman lucass that the administrator will come before this committee regularly in the future. So i expect that the next time youll join us well have your testimony ahead of time so we can have the most productive discussion possible. I anticipate that much of todays conversation will focus on the use of science and technology in epas regulatory, and when necessary, deregulatory agenda. And although its been a while since weve heard it, every epa administrator that has come before our committee has stressed the need for scientific integrity at the epa and the 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 that the biden administrations epa has promulgated 1583 rules to date. Thats nearly 55 rules a month since the president took office. There is no industry exempt from the wide range of topics these rules cover. From pesticides and agriculture to emissions for power plants, to chemicals in manufacturing, regulations have the potential to hamstrung our economy, if not achievable and based on science. Administrator reagans epa has sent very ambitious goals, reducing emissions from the power sector by 80 , having two thirds of the cars on the road be zero emission and nearly eliminating all methane emissions in the country, just to name a few. Admirable as those may be, we simply cannot set goals without analyzing the economic and social cost to achieve them. We cant just flip the switch off for domestic fossil Energy Production unless we have a reliable and affordable low placements. Otherwise hospitals and military bases would go dark. Families would struggle to make ends meet. Businesses would close and lives would be lost. 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. No matter what side of the political spectrum you sit on, this pace of spending is undeniably vulnerable to the waste, fraud and abuse. This funding has set the potential to positively impact crucial sectors of our economy but it also has the potential to fund wasteful projects that line the pockets of select environmental groups and prop up technologies that will never achieve success on their own in the market. So we must carefully examine the agencys processes to set up new programs, get money out the door, and monitor the progress of projects well into the future. I want to thank the administrator for being here today and ill end with a bit of sentiment. Testifying is a lot like a doctors appointment. While we are purposefully looking for things that are wrong and you will hear criticisms on how things look, its because we want to prevent actions from turning into an unfixable problem. Everyone here wants an effective, smoothly running Environmental Protection agency, and today is a necessary step to ensure that. I hope we can Work Together to ensure epa is doing things for people and not to people. D lik the Ranking Member, the gentleman from california, for her Opening Statement. Thank you very much and thank you administrator reagan for being here with us today. Before saying anything else, i just want to say how delighted i am to see chairman lucas back here. Mr. Lucas, on behalf of all members and staff on this side of the aisle, we are wishing you continued success on your recovery. We stand ready to do whatever we can to assist, and its just really terrific to see you back. I also want to discuss the epas research and development work. The epa has a unique and really an Important Mission to put human and Environmental Health that center of everything that they do. The office of research and development serves a crucial role in that mission. The office drives the science that the Regulatory Office depends on to ensure theyre Setting Health protective standards. It put our stateoftheart assessments, that state, local and tribal governments rely on to protect their residents. Pro standards. It puts out stateoftheart assessments that state, local, tribal governments rely on to protect viruses. All americans, whether they know it or not, depend on the epa to deliver on its 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 frontline of the devastating pollution, by industry, and sometimes the federal government it self. Some bear a high risk of cancer , due to unfettered dumping by chemical companies. Others worry that environmental contaminants, and any make government responses will have irreversible impact on their childrens development. They have been neglected and programmed to look at efficiency, and climate resilience, and better resourced areas. The epas new office of Environmental Justice and external civil rights is an important step in addressing the needs and connecting these communities with muchneeded information and resources. I am proud of the work we did in the last congress to fund this effort. The Inflation Reduction Act provided 41 billion to the an agency to advance Environmental Justice. Bipartisan infrastructure law included 50 billion to improve Water Infrastructure and quality. I look forward to hearing how congress can continue to support this important work. I would be remiss not to note the larger context of this meeting today. We are hurtling toward a Government Shutdown. There is infighting taking priority over the functioning of our government, and by extension, the health and well being of all americans. The administrator is the perfect person to put this into perspective. This year, we have seen at least 23 weatherrelated disasters with losses exceedin 1 billion. In the thick of hurricane season, how will the epa determined that it is safe to drink the water following the next devastating storm . Epa requires Rapid Response as well. What if there is another catastrophic Train Derailment. I hope your testimony 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 want to raise the issue of the last leaded fuel and transportation. That is leaded 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 have elevated the lead in the blood level of children near the airport to rival flint, michigan. We need to do something soon and aggressive about this health trouble. I am hoping you can talk further about that as the hearing goes on. With that, i look forward to our witnesses testimony, and our opportunity to ask for the questions. I yield back. Thank you to the Ranking Member. I like to introduce mr. Lucas for an Opening Statement. I know my official Opening Statement has been issued into the record. I would like to take a moment to think the Ranking Member, and all of the subcommittee chairmen that handled the hearings while i have been gone, and the membership on both sides of the room. This committee is a very productive committee. We are very focused. The ability to accomplish things in my absence, i am very appreciative of. While i may move slower for a bit longer, i have Great Expectations about what we will accomplish in the rest of the session. Thank you to all of my colleagues. I would like to recognize the gentlewoman from North Carolina. Thank you mr. Chairman. Again, it is wonderful to see chairman lucas back. We have missed him. He has been such a great leader of the midi. It is a privilege to introduce my friend and fellow ministry an from North Carolina. Il the distinguished service of the North Carolina department of environmental polity set a strong example for other states around the country. Now we are sharing him with the whole country. He has been a real champion in addressing pfas contamination in particular. My North Carolina colleague and i have seen the world class, Water Treatment facility on the cape fear river. Our state and local governments would not have gotten to this point without the administrators 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. I look forward to hearing your testimony. Thank you mr. Chairman, i yield back. You are now recognized for five minutes to present your testimony. Good morning everyone, chairman lucas, thank you for personally inviting me to join you today. I am glad to be here. Ranking member, members of the committee, i appreciate the opportunity to appear before you to discuss the role of science at the Environmental Protection agency. Protecting Public Health and wellness is our greatest responsibility. Sound science is central to all of our work. The epa upholds the bidenharris commitment to address Public Health and environmental d challenges like pfas, the constant crisis, lead, air ou 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, they are environment and our economy go handinhand. We have a golden opportunity, not just to make communities healthier and safer, but to deliver lifesaving programs that can catalyze growth and good paint jobs. We are committed to scientific integrity to help us achieve our ambitious climate and economic goals. A dedicated and talented staff work on so many critical lo issues. I am looking forward to sharing our work with you today. Over the past 2 years, we have taken strides to ensure all people have access to clean and safe Drinking Water. For far too long, communities across the united dates have been exposed to harmful pfas. In october 2021, the epa released the strategic roadmap. A correlated strategy to protect the public and environment from this deadly chemical compound. As science develops, we know more now than ever about pfas, and how can cause Adverse Health effects that can devastate entire communities. Epa propose the first ever, legal limit for pfas. This was informed by epa scientists. We hope to issue a final Drinking Water rule in the coming months. While science help us make significant progress, we have a lot of work to do to increase our understanding of pfas. We are looking at methods to detect them in our environment, and understand the risk that they have on our health and de ecosystems. There are ways to reduce pfas in the environment. The epa will continue to make progress by working in close collaboration with tribes, states, communities, and other stakeholders, including congress to implement solutions that follow the science and stand the test of time. Science is not just about finding problems, its about fixing them. Im grateful to congress for providing 10 billion from the bipartisan official july to address emerging contaminants. I am optimistic that the epa centrally to a cleaner and healthier future for all. Eap epas using science to address many of the issues that wildfires present to our health and our environment. Over the past 20 years, the numbers of acres burned annually due to wildfires has doubled. Wildfires are a major source of air pollution and emissions can travel thousands of miles, impacting the health of people. We saw the smoke from wildfires in canada bringing dangerous air pollution to the west and east coast. Last month, we saw the wildfires in maui ringing unimaginable loss to families, homes, and businesses. The scientists are developing new ways to model and monitor those emissions, and are working to understand what additional toxins might be present in the smoke, particularly from wildfires in urban areas and burnt manmade structures. I would like to speak about the work our agency has done involving lead exposure. The science is clear, there is no safe level of exposure to lead. The epa is, and has been a leader in president bidens whole of government approach to protecting families and children from lead exposure. Ar this administration has funded the removal of over 100,000 lead Service Lines. That number will increase things to the bipartisan infrastructure law. Le the scientist will continue to research and develop new ways to reduce lead exposure until we meet president bidens goal of replacing 100 of lead Service Lines. This is backed by sound, quality, and peerreviewed science. From our actions to address and cleanup pfas to providing information to help people during wildfires , to decisions that help with Drinking Water, this is the backbone of all we do it epa. While i am proud of the foundations laid, there is still much more to do to ensure all of our children have safe, Healthy Places to live, learn, and play. Thank you for allowing me to be here today and to submit test money for the record. I look forward to our partnership and to achieving the ambitious, yet necessary goals. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. The chair recognizes himself for five minutes. The Chemistry Companies in ohio generate 3. 5 billion in earnings and 1. 3 billion in taxes and asked was from the production plans that exceed 6. 5 billion. I am concerned by the is propose updates to the new chemicals and regulation under the toxic subs control act. Particularly as it relates to pfas and the manufacture of semi conductors. They went as far as saying this proposed action would have a devastating effect on u. S. Competitiveness and would result in the Semiconductor Industry being unable to e manufacture devices in the u. S. Is epa measured the economic consequences of these actions . Has the epa sought input from the department of commerce, investing 50 billion in u. S. Semi conductors that your agency might completely shut down . First, i would like to say, during my time as a regulator, f i spent time with families, mothers, and children that have them risen by pfas. That being said, i brought that experience to the epa. I believe we are developing very responsible regulations. I met with the leadership of the american chemistry counci

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