[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          POLLUTION REPORTING

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2000

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, we often hear from constituents frustrated 
by the complicated and sometimes confusing process of reporting 
pollutants to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some argue the 
solution to this problem is the widespread reduction or elimination of 
reporting requirements. This is not the proper response. There are very 
important public health, safety, and environmental reasons for these 
reporting requirements. These requirements have been carefully 
scrutinized by elected officials for decades and found to present 
significant benefits to the public. They allow us to better reduce and 
remediate pollution and identify point and non-point sources of 
pollution that threaten our communities, water, air and land. As result 
of collecting this information, we have been able to more accurately 
identify problems, target resources and programs, and improve public 
health and safety. Clearly, pollution reporting has not driven 
businesses to the brink of economic disaster or brought our economy to 
a screeching halt. But, can we find better and more efficient ways to 
collect this valuable information? The answer is yes.
  We can collect this critical information in a manner that is more 
efficient and manageable for the private sector, the EPA, and State, 
local and tribal governments. It is time for pollution reporting to 
move into the twenty-first century and utilize the cost-effective 
technology of the information age. EPA must work with those that file 
pollution reports to develop a new reporting protocol. Today, I 
introduced legislation, the Streamlined Pollution Reporting and 
Technical Assistance Act, that directs the EPA to do just this.
  The Streamlined Pollution Reporting and Technical Assistance Act does 
the following: (1) Directs the Administrator of the EPA to establish a 
simplified electronic reporting process for pollution; (2) directs the 
Administrator to establish or designate a central office that 
coordinates and collects reports; (3) directs the Administrator to work 
with State, tribal, and local governments, as well as industry, 
scientists, information technology experts, and environmental groups to 
develop the streamlined pollution reporting protocol; (4) directs the 
new office to conduct an active technical assistance program to assist 
all potential users of the reporting system; (5) directs the General 
Accounting Office and the Administrator to report on barriers to the 
implementation of this legislation; and (6) directs the Administrator, 
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Director of 
the National Science Foundation, and the Secretary of Energy to form an 
advisory committee comprised of appropriate representatives from 
industry, academia, government, and other organizations deemed 
appropriate. The committee shall advise Congress on the status of 
industrial or product life cycle analysis for reducing pollution and 
increasing resource use efficiency, and eliminating barriers to the 
increased utilization of life cycle analysis by the public and private 
sectors.
  Mr. Speaker, this is important legislation that is good for the 
economy and good for the environment. This is an issue everyone can 
support and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this 
important legislation.

                          ____________________