House Approves Committee Legislation to Modernize Environmental Law and Increase State Authority

Press Release

The House of Representatives today approved H.R. 2279 by a vote of 225 to 188. The legislation is a product of a series of bills advanced by the Energy and Commerce Committee, including the Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act, the Federal and State Partnership for Environmental Protection Act, and the Federal Facility Accountability Act. The legislation seeks to modernize existing federal law, reduce red tape, and increase the role of the states in environmental cleanups under the Comprehensive Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

"We are five years into this failed experiment of increased government spending, taxation and regulation -- the results are clear: the power to grow our economy and put Americans back to work lies in the private sector. With more than 80,000 pages of new federal regulations published in 2013 alone, commonsense revisions of existing rules and regulations are a vital part of ensuring businesses that power our state and local economies are given the capability to grow," said Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO), sponsor of the legislation and author of the Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act.

"I'm proud of this commonsense legislation which could lead to economic redevelopment and job creation at sites in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio, and I am thankful the House passed it today. I urge the Senate to take immediate action and pass this bill," said Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), author of the Federal and State Partnership for Environmental Protection Act.

"Some of the most pressing environmental problems exist at current and former federal facilities and states have come a long way in developing strong regulatory programs to protect public health, safety and the environment. It makes sense for federal agencies to comply with these state environmental laws and to clean up contamination at federal facilities to the same standards as everyone else," said Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), author of the Federal Facility Accountability Act.

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