Statement Senator Ben Night Horse Campbell
Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works
July 26, 2001

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to welcome all of the witnesses before the committee today and I am looking forward to the testimony that they will be providing us shortly on the impacts of air emissions from electricity generating plants on public health and the environment.

Air emissions from electricity generating plants and their potential impacts will continue to be controversial. Different regions of this country have different environmental regulations, and the role and scope of the federal government in this process is still being discussed. We have to take many things into consideration before we set a course of action.

What we cannot do is to jeopardize our electricity system by over regulating this industry. But, we do need to come up with a solution that is fair, balanced and takes everyone's needs into consideration, including the electricity generating plants.

One issue we must preserve is flexibility to comply with emission standards. This will ensure that smaller facilities' predominantly cooperative owned, and all other generating plants can have the ability to attain compliance with air and environmental regulations. We must not throw regions of this country into an energy crisis by trying to implement stringent regulations that are impossible to achieve.

Another issue that needs to be discussed is New Source Review. New source review seems to be hindering new energy exploration, siting, expansion and rejuvenation of generating facilities. We all know the intent of new source review is needed, but the last set of rules and regulations is too stringent and will hurt us in the long run. No one I know supports the destruction of our environment and wants to jeopardize the public health. As a nation we have come a long way to improving our air and environment. Most of the electricity generating facilities comply with the law, and I don't feel the full weight of protecting and preserving our nation's air and environment should fall solely on the backs of the electricity industry.

I am approaching the emissions debate very carefully because there are many interests that need to be addressed. have some questions for the witnesses that I would like them to answer so that we can further explore these issues during the time for questions.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.