In The News
Over the coming weeks, EPW Republicans will be detailing exactly how these coordinated efforts are destroying jobs and punishing industries and families across America. From farmers to miners to rig workers to manufacturers and fishermen, EPW Republicans will examine how their jobs and way of life are being targeted by well-funded environmental activists whose primary goal is maximizing government control, particularly over the land, water, and resources utilized by private industries and individuals. Today’s focus is forestry.
Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, has launched the second phase of his investigation into the collusion between environmental activists, lawyers and lobbyists, billionaires and their supporting foundations who use large sums of money to influence environmental public policy. Over the coming weeks, EPW Republicans will be detailing exactly how these coordinated efforts are destroying jobs and punishing industries and families across America. From farmers to miners to rig workers to manufacturers and fishermen, EPW Republicans will examine how their jobs and way of life are being targeted by well-funded environmental activists whose primary goal is maximizing government control, particularly over the land, water, and resources utilized by private industries and individuals. Today focuses on recreational fishing.
ICYMI: Vitter Op-Ed "Drowning our property rights: EPA's misuse of the Clean Water Act" in The Hill
Wednesday September 24, 2014
U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, has been reviewing the Obama Administration’s current attempt to expand the federal government’s power under the Clean Water Act. Last month, Vitter hosted a field briefing in Louisiana to examine the potential impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed “Waters of the United States” rule. Below is an op-ed by Vitter expanding on EPA’s mishandling of the Clean Water Act.
Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, has launched the second phase of his investigation into the collusion between environmental activists, lawyers and lobbyists, and billionaires and their supporting foundations who use large sums of money to influence environmental public policy. The American oil and gas sector is responsible for creating over 400,000 direct jobs and over 2 million indirect jobs since 2003. Oil and gas production has added $300-$400 billion annually to the economy, without which America’s GDP growth would have been negative. The American oil and gas industry stands out as a success story amidst a generally stagnant economic recovery.
Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, yesterday launched the second phase of his investigation into the collusion between environmental activists, lawyers and lobbyists, and billionaires and their supporting foundations who use large sums of money to influence environmental public policy. Vitter and the EPW Republicans believe this collusion, and the public policy that results from it, have an adverse effect on jobs and the economy.
Vitter Summary Statement for Hearing to Examine NRC Nominees
Full Committee Hearing to Examine Nominations of Jeffery Baran and Stephen Burns to be Members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Tuesday September 9, 2014
Washington, DC
Nuclear energy has long been an indispensable contributor to our base-load electricity needs, and despite best efforts by far-left activists to undermine the industry I don’t see nuclear’s contribution changing drastically in the years to come. As such, it is imperative for this committee to support nominees for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission who are highly qualified, with the relevant expertise and extensive professional experience needed to ensure that the Commission continues to promote the necessary safety standards that have contributed to our nuclear reactor fleet being the safest in the world. Each Commissioner has a responsibility to guarantee that the NRC maintains an appropriate degree of regulatory stability by adhering to its own principles of good regulation: independence, openness, efficiency, clarity, and reliability.Vitter Summary Statement for Subcommittee Field Hearing on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement
Subcommittee on Water & Wildlife Field Hearing “Examining the Strategy for Achieving the Goals of the New Voluntary Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement”
Monday September 8, 2014
Annapolis, MD
Standing alone, the June 16, 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement appears worthy of celebration. The Agreement establishes several laudable principles that are intended to serve as a framework for the continued work on the Chesapeake Bay Program. These principles include collaboration, transparency, science-based decision-making, and a pledge to work closely with local governments in pursuing Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. However, the Agreement before the Subcommittee today cannot be examined in a vacuum. If we are to understand helpful ideas or potential hurdles to achieving the goals of the 2014 Agreement, we should be mindful of the history associated with past Chesapeake Bay agreements. In my opinion, and in light of the regulatory developments which occurred after the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, any strategy regarding the 2014 Agreement deserves caution and careful deliberation.Vitter Summary Statement for Lake Charles Field Briefing on EPA's Upcoming Ozone Standards
U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works EPW Republican Field Briefing “Louisiana Jobs and Economic Growth in Jeopardy: How EPA’s Upcoming Ozone Standards Will Harm Project Development”
Friday August 22, 2014
Lake Charles, LA
Thank you everyone for being here today to discuss a topic critical to the economic opportunity and the future of Louisiana. Today’s witnesses are here to speak on the challenges facing Louisiana and Lake Charles from EPA’s Clean Air Science Advisory Committee (CASAC) recommended compliance range on ozone. We are fortunate today to have an especially credible panel who can speak competently on the job loss, opportunity loss, and other challenges a new standard will present. Let me thank Larry DeRoussel from the Lake Area Industry Alliance, Mike Walls from the American Chemistry Council, and Grant Bush from the Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning and Development Commission for coming out this morning. Also, thank you to my colleagues, Congressmen Bill Cassidy and Charles Boustany, for being here today.Vitter Summary Statement for New Orleans Field Briefing on EPA's Proposed Waters Rule
EPW Republican Field Briefing “Impacts to Louisiana Families, Farmers, and Infrastructure Projects from EPA’s Proposed Waters Rule”
Friday August 15, 2014
New Orleans, LA
Thank you everyone for being here this morning to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) proposed rule to unilaterally expand federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.There is no doubt that this proposed rule will significantly increase the amount of private property subject to federal control as “waters of the United States,” including timberland, farmland, and other waterbodies. In essence, this means that bureaucrats in Washington D.C.—who already have too much power—are attempting to give themselves even more authority over the livelihoods and businesses of individuals and families throughout Louisiana.
