Congressman Charles Bass

September 21, 2012

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) issued the following statement this afternoon after the House passed H.R. 3409, the Coal Miner Employment and Domestic Energy Infrastructure Protection Act, a bill that would 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 said:

"This legislation once again included language that I could not support as it would weaken important clean air protections that would help to keep mercury and other toxins out of the air we breathe. As we all know in New Hampshire, our state and the rest of New England is known as the tailpipe of the nation because of the harmful emissions from coal plants in the Midwest that travel to our area.

"As a longtime friend and protector of New Hampshire's unique natural resources, which fuel our state's economy and way of life, I remain committed to ensuring we preserve these treasures for generations to come. Today's legislation was not right for New Hampshire and I could not support it."

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