Congressman Gibbs and Rahall join reign in EPA’s overreach

| June 5, 2014

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Bob Gibbs (R-OH) and Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV) released statements today regarding legislation they will introduce next week to the reign in EPA’s preemptive veto authority over Clean Water Act permits.

This legislation is being introduced in response to job killing actions taken by the EPA and the recent concerns raised by over 184 stakeholders.

“I am pleased to announce that when Congress returns next week I, along with my colleague Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV)will introduce legislation to curb the recent abuses of authority by U.S. EPA as it relates to the Clean Water Act,” said Gibbs. “For decades the Clean Water Act has been successful in protecting our waters and ensuring that businesses can continue to responsibly invest and create jobs. However, recent actions by U.S. EPA to overstep its intended authority under the law have resulted in disruptions to businesses and uncertainty for investors. This legislation will clarify EPA’s role in the Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting process to ensure that the agency does not disrupt the normal permitting process by denying permits before they are ever issued.”

“At the heart of this bill are jobs. EPA’s preemptive veto of permits is a threat to our economy because it deters future investment in projects that create jobs and promote local and regional economic development.  This bill simply aims to ensure that the proper permitting practices can move forward, and that EPA’s ideological zeal to expand its authority is checked,” said Rahall.

 

Category: Government

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