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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi: Republican Energy Bill Protects MTBE Polluters
Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor this afternoon in support of a motion to instruct conferees on the energy bill offered by Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA). The motion would strike provisions in the bill that protect MTBE manufacturers from liability for polluting our nation’s water. Below are Pelosi’s remarks:
“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the motion to instruct. I commend Congresswoman Capps for working to protect communities from MTBE and from unfunded mandates that shift the cost of cleanup to local communities.
“For five years, Republicans have pushed policies to give billions of dollars to special interests, which then reap record profits. The Republicans are not listening to the American people’s concerns about the need for safe drinking water, clean air, or for lowering the prices at the pump for gasoline.
“Instead of siding with Americans strangled by high gas prices, President Bush’s own Department of Energy said the bill would actually raise gas prices, and that the President’s proposals would increase our foreign oil dependence by 85 percent.
“But nowhere is Republican pandering more on display than in the provisions relating to MTBE. A few drops of MTBE can poison whole drinking water supplies. The industry knew MTBE would leak from gasoline storage tanks when they lobbied for its use. They deliberately hid this fact from Congress. The result of their malfeasance is clear: MTBE contaminated groundwater in every single state in America, with estimated cleanup costs between $25 billion and $85 billion.
“Incredibly, instead of siding with communities poisoned by MTBE, House Republicans lined up to protect polluters from liability. Last year, Majority Leader Tom DeLay added language to the energy bill to protect MTBE polluters, knowing it would kill the legislation, and he did the same this year.
“The House-passed bill protects MTBE producers from lawsuits. By their actions, House Republicans imposed an unfunded mandate on local communities to protect the polluters. This is contrary to a fundamental principle in our society that polluters must pay for the pollution they cause, not our children with their health. They said to localities: ‘Not only will we protect the people who poisoned your water, but we’re going to leave you with the bill.’
“Mr. Speaker, we are spending our time debating yet another huge subsidy for profitable oil and gas companies at taxpayer’s expense when we should be focusing on what consumers want – clean water to drink and relief from high prices at the pump.
“This is a disgrace. Conferees should insist on the Senate version that excludes this shameful MTBE liability waiver. Only then can we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening communities by promoting a clean and healthy environment where polluters pay for the damage they cause, not our children with their health.
“Again, I thank Congresswoman Capps for seizing this opportunity as she did when the House first considered this legislation.
“I urge my colleagues to vote for the motion to instruct so that we can end this disgraceful giveaway to oil companies and MTBE polluters that poison water all across the country.”
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
