Statement
of Senator Jon S. Corzine
Committee
on Environment and Public Works
May
15, 2001
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to join my colleagues in welcoming Governor Whitman to our
committee.
Mr. Chairman, there are commendable aspects of the
EPA FY 2003 request. Brownfields
funding is more than doubled to fund the expanded programs authorized by the
passage of bipartisan brownfields legislation last year. I know that my predecessor, Senator
Lautenberg would be pleased. And I know
that New Jersey communities will be revitalized as a result.
But viewed in total, Mr. Chairman, I think this
budget is simply inadequate to meet the environmental goals of our growing
nation. The FY 2003 request is
approximately 4 percent below the level enacted for FY 2002. When you consider inflation of 2 to 3
percent, this amounts to a real cut of approximately 6 percent. We need to do better.
There are also some disturbing policy choices
embedded in the budget. Once again, the
budget contains a proposal to fund state enforcement by cutting federal
enforcement. This year’s proposal would
cut approximately 100 EPA enforcement personnel. But federal enforcement is more important now than ever. If anything, the increased counter-terrorism
demands placed on federal enforcement personnel government wide mean that more
rather than fewer EPA attorneys will be needed to stay even on environmental
enforcement.
The budget funds the Superfund program at a strong
level, but the target of 40 cleanups completed in 2003 is down sharply from
previous years. In fact, the FY 2002
budget targeted 65 cleanups. This is a
concern for my state, where the program is still extremely important. New Jersey has 111 sites on Superfund’s
National Priorities List and 5 more are currently proposed for addition to the
list. So we need to keep this important
program moving.
I also want to take this opportunity to make several
policy observations. First, I hope that
the Governor will take seriously the concerns that have been raised by the
Attorneys General of New Jersey and other Northeast states about the pending
revisions to the New Source Review program.
The people of New Jersey are depending on the protections afforded by
this program to help them breathe easier.
I also have to comment on another issue that is
important to people in New Jersey, and I believe all across this country -- the
threat of a terrorist attack on an industrial facility intended to release
dangerous chemicals. I have introduced
a bill to address this problem, and I want the Administrator’s commitment to
working with me towards a solution that will protect our communities from this
threat.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.