[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H2112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               STRIKE REFINERY REVITALIZATION PROVISIONS

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition to the unnecessary 
refinery revitalization provisions in the energy bill.
  The energy bill would allow unrestricted sitings of refineries in 
low-income and underrepresented minority communities and strips States 
and local municipalities of their right to protect public health.
  Most refinery communities are found in low-income minority areas, and 
they do not have the political power to protect themselves and their 
families. These communities have the least ability to defend themselves 
from corporate pollution and are the most vulnerable to environmental 
and public health problems. Yet they are the very targets in this 
language.
  I believe the bill will only worsen the present and future 
environmental justice problems afflicting Latinos, African Americans, 
and Native Americans.
  Before we harm the health of the most underserved populations, strip 
States and communities of their right to protect themselves, we should 
have a real dialogue about the far reaching impacts of this language in 
our communities.
  Today I am asking the Committee on Rules to allow me to offer an 
amendment to strike this language during floor debate on the energy 
bill. I urge my colleagues to protect the public health and States' 
rights and support my amendment to strike the refinery revitalization 
provisions.

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