Copyright 2001 eMediaMillWorks, Inc.
(f/k/a Federal
Document Clearing House, Inc.)
Federal Document Clearing House
Congressional Testimony
May 15, 2001, Tuesday
SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY
LENGTH: 1467 words
COMMITTEE:
SENATE environment & public works
HEADLINE: TESTIMONY EPA BUDGET
TESTIMONY-BY: BOB SMITH , SENATOR
BODY: May 15, 2001 OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR BOB
SMITH FOR EPA BUDGET HEARING Governor Whitman, welcome again to this Committee.
I want to thank you again for joining me a couple of weeks ago in Winchester,
New Hampshire, to build up support for our Brownfields bill. Today's hearing is
on EPA's FY2002 budget. I am pleased that this budget moves in the direction
that I believe is necessary if we are to achieve long term success. This budget
is about partnership with the states and achieving results through cooperation
and smart management. It reflects many of the priorities and themes that you,
Gov. Whitman, instituted at the State level when you served as New Jersey's
Governor. The end result was that virtually all measurable indicators showed
that you left New Jersey with a much improved environment than how you found it.
I recall in your confirmation hearing praise from both sides of the aisle for
you environmental record. Much of that praise had to do with how you prioritized
spending and decisions based on the end result of what is best for the
environment. This budget increases spending where necessary, and institutes a
smart management approach so that the dollars are spent more wisely. While there
will be those who will criticize this budget, it is important to note that the
Bush budget actually represents a $56 million increase over President Clinton's
last EPA budget. It is both environmentally protective and fiscally disciplined.
I am pleased that Brownfields cleanup funding is increased to $98 million and
those dollars will be leveraged into $300 million worth of cleanup. I hope the
House will soon pass our Bill and we can see even more clean up and
redevelopment. The Clean Beaches Bill that was authorized by this Committee last
year will get important seed money in this budget to get that program started. I
want to emphasize that when this Committee does authorize a program, it is our
expectation that the program will receive adequate resources. With regard to
Clean Water, as a package, Clean
Water Infrastructure funding
is substantially higher than that of any previous Administration. While I want
to work with you on how it is divided, I am encouraged that this President's
budget, unlike those of the past, recognizes the vital importance of Clean
Water Infrastructure to the nation. I have a long standing
commitment to the SRF because it represents the best approach for helping states
to meet their environmental needs. I also want the States to have the
flexibility to address their infrastructure needs and priorities. I am very
pleased that President Bush's Environmental Protection budget recognizes the
capabilities of the States and begins the necessary shift to increasing
partnerships with them. More than 95 percent of inspections and 90 percent of
enforcement actions are carried out by the States. Recognizing that fact, this
budget includes $25 million in state enforcement
grants to
ensure that compliance continues. This brought a very positive response from the
States. To quote a letter from the Environmental Council of the States: "We
appreciate the recognition that a vast majority of the enforcement and
compliance activity of the Nation occurs within the states, and we welcome the
much needed infusion of $25 million in state enforcement
grants
to assist in that national effort." The President's budget also supports
information gathering and sharing that will better equip the States. This
includes an additional $21 million to increase the availability of quality
environmental and health information. The EPA will also launch a new $25 million
grant program to provide States and Tribes with assistance in
developing the National Environmental Information Exchange Network. This Network
will facilitate information sharing and help to build partnerships between the
States and the Agency. This budget is also about smarter management. Beyond
funding programs to protect the environment, this budget's priorities focus on
Quality Information, a Credible Deterrent to Pollution with Greater Compliance,
and Effective Management. Each of these goals will receive more resources than
ever before. This is about smarter management & increased efficiency.
Increased efficiency will mean more environmental bang for the buck. This is in
contrast to the previous Administration where efficiency and smart management
seemed beyond reach. An example is the eight year effort to consolidate EPA
personnel into a central location. The end result was that EPA personnel are now
located in 17 separate locations all over the metro Washington area. I am
hopeful that this Administration's efficiency efforts will yield improved
results. I believe that this budget is a step in the right direction. When I
became Chairman of this Committee, I stated that one of my goals was to see an
Environmental Protection Agency that promotes partnership with the States;
encourages cooperation over confrontation; offers the carrot, yet retains the
stick if necessary; and is an Agency that focuses on efforts that will result in
a cleaner, healthier environment. Governor Whitman, I believe that you are
headed in that direction, and I look forward to our continued work together.
LOAD-DATE: May 16, 2001, Wednesday