Environment

Environmental laws like the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Food Quality Protection Act improve America’s environment and protect public health. These landmark laws have helped provide Americans cleaner air, cleaner water, and safer food. While these environmental laws have been successful, a number of recent investigations for members of Congress by the Special Investigations Division have highlighted ongoing environmental problems.

Latest News

Chairman Waxman Requests Documents on DOT Lobbying Efforts

Chairman Waxman requests documents from EPA relating to the Department of Transportation’s lobbying efforts against California’s efforts to address global warming.

Waxman to Introduce Moratorium on Approval of New Coal-Fired Power Plants

Rep. Henry A. Waxman announced at a congressional hearing with EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson that he will introduce legislation that establishes a moratorium on the approval of new coal-fired power plants under the Clean Air Act until EPA finalizes regulations to address the greenhouse gas emissions from these sources. Under this legislation, a Clean Air Act permit for a new coal-fired power plant could not be issued unless the plant uses state-of-the-art technology to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The bill will also prohibit any person who builds a new coal-fired power plant without carbon controls from receiving allowances under future climate change legislation.

EPA Approval of New Power Plants: Failure to Address Global Warming Pollutants

This hearing examined the implications of the Environmental Protection Agency’s refusal to consider the global warming effects of a coal-fired power plant’s greenhouse gas emissions in a recent permitting decision. The hearing provided an opportunity for EPA to explain its position and current plans for addressing greenhouse gas emissions. Regulators and experts testified about the effects of EPA’s decisions, as well as how EPA could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new stationary sources.

Oil and Gas Exemptions in Federal Environmental Protections

On Wednesday the committee will hold a hearing to examine the applicability of federal environmental and health requirements to onshore oil and gas development. The hearing will also address the potential impact oil and gas activity has on the environment and the health of populations living near production areas.

Hearing Examines Black Carbon and Global Warming

On Thursday, October 18, 2007, the Committee held a hearing to examine the climate change and other impacts of black carbon emissions. Black carbon is better known as soot and results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. The Committee received testimony about the significant global and regional effects of black carbon, its sources, and the positive effect reductions in emissions would have on both climate change and public health worldwide.

Chairman Asks FERC About Role in Combating Global Climate Change

Today Chairman Waxman asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) about its role in combating the threat of global climate change in light of the Commission’s broad authority over many elements of the U.S. energy sector. In a letter to FERC Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher, Chairman Waxman requested details about FERC’s climate change policy and its efforts to support state and federal actions to promote renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

White House Approved Lobbying Effort to Block Approval of California Vehicle Standards

Internal e-mails show that Transportation Secretary Mary Peters personally directed a behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign approved by the White House to oppose EPA approval of California’s landmark standards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

EPA Approves New Coal-Fired Power Plant Without CO2 Controls

The Environmental Protection Agency has ignored the recent Supreme Court decision that CO2 is an air pollutant under the federal Clean Air Act and approved a permit for a new coal-fired power plant without regulating its CO2 emissions or considering the impact of the new power plant on global warming.

Chairman Waxman Questions Interior Department’s Failure to Comply with Energy Policy Act

Chairman Waxman writes to Secretary Kempthorne to question the Department of Interior’s refusal to comply with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requirement to study the effects of coal bed natural gas production on surface and ground water resources in six western states, and to insist that the Department comply with the law.

Chairman Waxman Raises Concerns About NTP Contracting Report

In a letter to Dr. John Bucher, Associate Director of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), Chairman Waxman raises concerns over an agency analysis of potential conflicts of interest in current NTP contracts.  Noting that analysis relied on self-certifications by contractors, Chairman Waxman requests copies of the contractors’ full responses and the agency's plan for conducting an objective assessment of conflicts of interest that does not rely on self-certification.

Chairman Waxman Requests Documents Regarding ATSDR’s “Health Consultation” on Formaldehyde Levels in FEMA Trailers

Chairman Waxman requested documents from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) regarding the “health consultation” it provided to FEMA on formaldehyde levels in tested trailers. The ATSDR consultation ignored established safety recommendations for formaldehyde exposure and downplayed the health risks posed by the formaldehyde levels in the tested trailers. ATSDR recently changed course by acknowledging that the tested FEMA trailers had formaldehyde levels that can adversely affect human health.

House Passes Carbon-Neutral Government Legislation

On August 4, 2007, the House passed H.R.3221, the “New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act,” by a vote of 241-172. The legislation incorporates various legislative initiatives for energy independence and reducing global warming, including the Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007 (H.R. 2635).

Rep. Waxman Introduces H.R. 3448, The Global Climate and Ozone Layer Protection Act of 2007

Rep. Waxman introduced H.R. 3448, the “Global Climate and Ozone Layer Protection Act of 2007.” This consensus legislation, which is supported by both industry and environmentalists, will significantly reduce emissions of substances that deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming.

Chairman Waxman Requests Documents Regarding Controversial Clean Air Act Rulemaking

Chairman Waxman wrote to EPA Administrator Johnson to request documents concerning a proposed controversial change to regulations under the Clean Air Act which would weaken existing protections for many national parks and other areas with pristine air quality.   Chairman Waxman also requested a 60 day extension of the public comment period, which is scheduled to end August 6, 2007. 

Reps. Waxman and Davis Renew Request for White House Documents

Following a staff review of a number of previously-withheld climate change documents, Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis now request that 56 of those White House documents be provided to the Committee to further its investigation into allegations of political interference with climate change science.

DOT Attempts to Withhold Documents Related to Lobbying Congress

In response to Rep. Waxman’s request, the Department of Transportation provided limited documents and e-mails related to its lobbying of Members of Congress to oppose efforts by California and other states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. In the correspondence providing the documents, DOT states that it intends to withhold 53 responsive documents from the Committee.

Department of Energy Agrees to Rep. Waxman's Laboratory Cleanup Requests

Today, Rep. Henry A. Waxman released a letter he received yesterday afternoon from the Department of Energy regarding the cleanup of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) and the Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC). In the letter, the Department agreed to Rep. Waxman’s request to commit to complying with the court order and honor its commitment that a radiological survey be undertaken at the site.

Chairman Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Kucinich Respond to Letter from NIEHS Regarding the Publication of Environmental Health Perspectives

Chairman Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Kucinich have responded to a letter from Samuel Wilson, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), regarding the new Request for Proposals for the publication of Environmental Health Perspectives.

Rep. Waxman Questions Energy Department’s Inconsistent Statements about the Santa Susana Field Lab Cleanup

In a letter to DOE Secretary Bodman, Chairman Waxman asks for clarification of inconsistent statements the Department has made about the cleanup of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory and the Energy Technology and Engineering Center. DOE’s actions and track record suggest the Department may not intend to conduct a court-ordered Environmental Impact Statement before continuing its cleanup activities at the site. Chairman Waxman asks DOE to detail its plan, commit to complying with the court order, and honor its commitment to fund an EPA radiological survey of the site.

Reps. Waxman and Davis Set Deadline for CEQ Documents

In a letter to Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Connaughton, Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis set a firm deadline for the White House to provide climate change documents that were requested eleven months ago. Despite numerous discussions and requests, CEQ has withheld over 500 responsive documents from the Committee.

Chairman Waxman Reiterates Request for DOT Documents Related to Lobbying

Rep. Waxman responds to Secretary Peters and reiterates his request for documents and an interview relating to the Department lobbying Members of Congress to oppose efforts by California and other states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

Committee Marks Up Carbon-Neutral Government Act

The Oversight Committee held a business meeting to consider the Carbon-Neutral Government Act (H.R. 2635), which is designed to reduce the emissions of the federal government, currently the largest energy consumer in the United States.

Rep. Waxman Introduces Bill to Make Federal Government Carbon-Neutral

On June 7, 2007, Chairman Waxman introduced the Carbon-Neutral Government Act, H.R. 2635, which would promote federal leadership in the fight against global warming by making the federal government’s operations carbon-neutral by 2050.

Chairman Waxman Asks EPA to Clarify the Administration's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy

In a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, Chairman Waxman asks the EPA to clarify the Administration’s position on whether greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced.

Hearing Examines Achievements and Opportunities for Climate Protection Under the Montreal Protocol

On Wednesday, May 23, 2007, the Committee held an oversight hearing on achievements and opportunities for climate protection under the Montreal Protocol. This international environmental treaty established legally binding controls on the production and consumption of substances that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer.

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