Lower Energy Costs Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose H.R. 1. H.R. 1 reverses our hard- fought progress for clean water, and it also severely undermines States' abilities to protect water quality under the Clean Water Act. Under this bill, States like California would have their hands tied in their efforts to maintain water quality for drinking, recreation, and protecting our natural environments.

California has always been a leader in clean water issues, and this bill is a direct assault on our efforts to counteract pollution and protect both public health and the health of the environment.

What is more, H.R. 1 will dangerously limit States from protecting their own natural resources and bodies of water. It will limit California's efforts to conserve water, which is especially important given the extreme drought that we were in and will continue to see in the face of changing climate.

Maintaining section 401 of the Clean Water Act is vital. My friends on the other side of the aisle claim the proposed changes in the bill will prevent States from hijacking the permitting process and preventing important energy projects. However, in the past 50 years, California State water agencies have processed thousands of section 401 permit requests without issue. Only a handful each year are denied. The States have utilized this section to rightfully protect against violations of their own State water quality standards.

We see this legislation for what it truly is: a giveaway to corporate polluters at the expense of our environment.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose this bill and the larger movement it stands for. We cannot and should not roll back these bedrock environmental laws.

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