Bill Text: MI HR0040 | 2011-2012 | 96th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to memorialize the United States Congress to safeguard the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority under the Clean Air Act to fight harmful emissions as directed by the United States Supreme Court and to protect American citizens from the damaging health effects of pollution.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-02 - Referred To Committee On Energy And Technology [HR0040 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2011-HR0040-Introduced.html
Rep. Brown offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 40.
A resolution to memorialize the United States Congress to safeguard the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority under the Clean Air Act to fight harmful emissions as directed by the United States Supreme Court and to protect American citizens from the damaging health effects of pollution.
Whereas, For four decades, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has had the job of protecting our land, air, and water from pollution, and in so doing, has dramatically increased the quality of life for all Americans. In 1969, the Cuyahoga River caught on fire and brought to the nation’s attention the devastating effects of rampant corporate pollution. One year later, the EPA was established and given the authority to protect the health of all Americans and hold accountable polluters who recklessly ravage our land, air, and water. If the EPA is stripped of its authority to regulate harmful pollution, the clock will be turned back on the progress the EPA has made over the past 40 years to ensure that our rivers run clear, the air we breathe is untainted with pollution, and the water we drink is pure; and
Whereas, Scientists and technical experts at the EPA are the most qualified to make decisions about regulatory action and the protection of public health. The EPA is staffed with the foremost experts in science and technical experts in the areas of air quality, water quality, public health, and environmental protection. This collective group of experts at the EPA is far more qualified to make decisions determining the best regulatory action to protect American health and the environment than the collective members of the United States Congress. The EPA has done its job of protecting air quality, water quality, environmental and public health for 40 years, and must be allowed to continue this important work; and
Whereas, The Clean Air Act (CAA) has spurred innovation and business growth since it was signed into law in 1970. The CAA and its amendments have ushered in important innovations, such as catalytic converters and air pollution control technologies, that have helped fuel job growth and new industries. Driven in large part by CAA regulations, the U.S. pollution control industry has emerged as a leader in innovation and technological development, and the results of this leadership have spread to other countries. Studies show that the economic benefits of the CAA have far exceeded the costs of controlling air pollution emissions. According to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, the total economic benefits of the CAA are estimated at more than four to eight times the costs of compliance. Michigan businesses need to know the rules if they are going to plan and grow. It is important for the EPA to set ground rules that will help businesses grow while also protecting public health and the environment; and
Whereas, The Great Lakes, our many inland waterways, and our abundant forests and other natural resources provide immeasurable value to the quality of life of all Michiganders and drive the state’s economy. Millions of Michigan workers and their families rely on the Great Lakes for their livelihoods. The Great Lakes that surround Michigan play an essential role in the state’s three largest industries: manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. From the majestic freighters that haul steel into Michigan for the auto industry, to the hardworking farmers that rely on Michigan’s abundance of water to tend their crops, to the thousands of hotels, campgrounds, fishing operations and other tourism businesses that cater to visitors from all over the world, Michigan’s Great Lakes, inland waterways, and other natural resources are critical to Michigan’s economy and way of life. These natural resources must be protected by the EPA for generations to come in order to protect Michigan’s recovering economy and our natural heritage; and
Whereas, The EPA has broad public support for the work it does to curb pollution, protect public health, and hold polluters accountable. Recent polls show that Michigan residents overwhelmingly support the EPA and its mission to protect human health and the environment and to hold polluters responsible. EPA's job of regulating harmful pollution, including greenhouse gases, is critically important. Michigan residents know that a return to uncontrolled corporate pollution and the flaming rivers of the past would be an unacceptable step in the wrong direction. The health consequences of allowing rampant pollution without holding polluters accountable would be dire--increased asthma, heart disease, cancer, and more, now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize Congress to take the following actions: reject legislative attempts to weaken the EPA’s ability to regulate harmful pollution, including greenhouse gases; safeguard the EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act to fight harmful emissions as directed by the United States Supreme Court; and defend the EPA’s ability to protect American citizens from the damaging health effects of pollution; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
