Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012

Floor Speech

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Mr. REHBERG. Mr. Chairman, this amendment directs $2.2 million of the Department of Energy's Fossil Energy Research Development budget to the Risk Based Data Management System.

The Risk Based Data Management System is a State governmental agency-based information system initiative to help States collect and aggregate essential oil, gas, and environmental compliance information, local geology data, base of freshwater data, well construction specifics, area production historical data, and information provided by companies applying for permits.

This type of information system has resulted in better environmental protection; public disclosure of all chemicals; easier, cheaper, and faster environmental compliance for industry-enhanced State environmental enforcement. That's why my amendment is broadly supported by State environmental agencies, State regulators, the energy industry, and many in the environmental community.

Providing this funding will allow for enhanced environmental protection and enhanced oil and gas production. It improves public disclosure of chemicals by providing funding for data systems where operators can disclose chemicals used on all procedures in any State.

The amendment also strengthens State environmental regulation of oil and gas by providing funding for reviews of State environmental programs, including initiatives like the highly successful STRONGER, which is an organization that has done comprehensive reviews of State oil and gas agencies' administrative and regulatory operations using a multi-stakeholder team of three regulators, three environmental NGOs, and three industry representatives.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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