Congressman Charles Bass

TRAIN Act would postpone implementation of important anti-pollution measures

September 23, 2011

WASHINGTON – Noting that New Hampshire and the rest of New England are the tailpipe of the nation, Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) today voted against legislation that would delay implementation of important clean air protection measures that are already being met in New Hampshire.

As a result of an amendment that was added during the Energy and Commerce Committee markup, the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation (TRAIN) Act (H.R. 2401) will further delay the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule for six months or more until an interagency committee completes a report on certain EPA air pollution rules.

Bass voted against the TRAIN Act during Energy and Commerce Committee markup of the bill in July. The bill passed the House of Representatives today and now awaits action in the Senate.

Bass said:

"The Clean Air Act has been instrumental in protecting our environment and reducing toxic air pollutants. Allowing the implementation of the Air Toxics Rule and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule is reasonable and consistent with the requirements of the Clean Air Act. New Hampshire and the rest of New England are known as the tailpipe of the nation and we must allow important environmental protections that are already in place to be implemented."

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