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Complete Consideration of H.R. 3409 – To limit the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations before December 31, 2013, under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (Rep. Johnson (OH) – Natural Resources/Energy and Commerce/Transportation and Infrastructure) H.R. 3409 is combined of five measures — one reported by the Natural Resources Committee and four measures previously passed by the House. The bill prevents the Interior Department from issuing regulations that would adversely affect U.S. coal industry employment or result in reduced government revenues associated with coal production. The measure also creates an interagency committee to review federal clean air regulations; limits federal regulatory oversight of state-level permitting of the storage of coal combustion waste; amends existing federal water pollution laws to transfer authority from the EPA to the states to allow them to make determinations relating to their water quality standards; and bars the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change.
As of last night, the House had completed all general debate and debate on 7 of 13 amendments to H.R. 3409. Today, the House will debate the remaining amendments and take votes on amendments, motion to recommit and passage of H.R. 3409. The following amendments remain to be debated:
Rep. Jackson Lee Amendment. Strike section 503 of the bill which would artificially limit agency comment periods on water quality permits to 30 days with no possibility for extension.
Rep. McKinley Amendment. Prohibits the EPA from retroactively vetoing a wetlands permit under the Clean Water Act even in cases where the permit was found to allow pollution levels that impact public health and water quality.
Rep. Markey Amendment #10. Creates a national renewable electricity and energy efficiency standard of 50% renewable electricity generation by 2035.
Rep. DeFazio Amendment. Requires EPA and the Department of Transportation to submit a report to Congress within 6 months on the health, environmental, and public health impacts of fugitive coal dust
Reps. Berg/Flake/Gosar/Lankford Amendment. Changes current requirements and allows states to revoke any existing federal implementation plan (PIP) with regard to the regulation of visibility.
Rep. Gosar Amendment. Adds language to the end of bill which would limit the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue regulations on the Navajo Generating Station, located near Page, Arizona
The following amendments have recorded votes pending:
Rep. Markey Amendment #1. Allows the Secretary of Interior to promulgate rules under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, if such rule would reduce the prevalence of pulmonary diseases, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease or reduce the prevalence of birth defects or reproductive problems in pregnant women or children
Rep. Waxman Amendment. Strikes the language that would repeal EPA's scientific finding that carbon pollution endangers the public health and welfare
Rep. Kelly Amendment. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report to Congress estimating the number of jobs, the fatalities and injuries, and the cost to the economy caused by the"2017 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards" rule. Would require that the Secretary shall not consult with the EPA or the California Air Resources Board to complete the report
Rep. Markey Amendment #5. Allows the Environmental Protection Agency to take any action using its authority under the Clean Air Act if such action would increase North American energy independence by reducing demand for oil
Bill Text for H.R. 3409:
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