Senator Bob Smith
Ranking Member
Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works
February 13, 2001
Good Morning and welcome to Governor Whitman.
It is
always good see you before this committee -- it’s been just over a year since
you were here for your confirmation hearing.
What a year it has been. There have been a
number of challenges - some expected, some not. And it doesn’t appear that it will be getting
any easier.
I want to thank you
for all of your efforts over the past year - I think you have done a tremendous
job.
Today, we are here to discuss EPA’s FY 2003
budget. Once again, I am very pleased that this budget is about partnership
with the States and achieving results through cooperation. Of course I am
especially pleased to see the doubling of funds for Brownfields. Not only will
those dollars help to clean up our environment and spur economic recovery
through redevelopment, this money, combined with the new law will also unleash
millions of dollars in private sector investment.
One year ago,
almost to the day, as the chairman this of committee, I, along with Senators
Reid, Chafee and Boxer, introduced the Brownfields bill that was just recently
signed into law by President. Within two months, the bill had unanimously
passed the Senate -- it took a little longer to get through the House - but it
is now law.
I certainly want to thank you for your
support of our legislation - making Brownfields an Administration priority -
without your help, this bill never would have become law. I also want to
thank you for joining me in New Hampshire to visit a Brownfield in Winchester
shortly after Senate passage.
Now that we have a new law, maybe I can
convince you to come back up to New Hampshire to help celebrate this tremendous
victory. I can’t stress enough how important this is,
not only to New Hampshire, but to the entire nation. This budget recognizes
that fact and provides the resources to spur these clean-ups.
I am also pleased to see the new Watershed
Initiative in EPA’s budget. This initiative seems very similar to a community-based
approach in a bill I introduced with Senator Crapo last Congress. That bill created a
pilot program that allowed local communities to experiment with different
approaches to reach their clean water goals. I am eager to learn more about the
program in this budget.
Also worth noting is the State Enforcement
Grant Program -- once again, working with the States to help them enforce
environmental laws and regulations. Over 90% of enforcement actions are carried
out by the States C this budget understands that fact and provides the
necessary resources to help ensure that our laws are being enforced.
This budget also recognizes the new world
that we have lived in since September 11. It provides $124 million in new
funding for Homeland Security. Included
is money for: Enhancing emergency response capabilities; conducting water system
vulnerability assessments; and conducting research on better technologies and
assessments to clean up buildings that have been the targets of biological or
chemical attacks.
This is the reality of today and this budget
takes the appropriate steps to address what this nation is facing. On the
negative side, I would be remiss if I did not mention my disappointment with
the lack of adequate funding in the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund. This seems to be an
annual ritual, regardless of who is occupying the White House. I understand the
budget tricks, but it would be nice if just one year we could have a budget
number that is close to what is necessary and what will eventually be reality.
But on balance I
believe this budget is one that sets very strong pro-environmental, pro-State priorities.
When I first became Chairman over two years
ago, I made it clear that it was one of my goals to see an Environmental
Protection Agency that: promotes partnerships with the States; encourages
cooperation over confrontation; and an Agency that focuses on efforts that will
RESULT in a cleaner, healthier environment. Governor Whitman, I believe that
under your guidance, EPA is headed in that direction and this budget reflects
those priorities.