[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        H.R. 2681 AND H.R. 2250

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                    HON. F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR.

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 5, 2011

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
H.R. 2681, the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act, and H.R. 2250, the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulatory Relief Act, which are 
common-sense bills that will reduce uncertainty in the marketplace, and 
allow businesses to compete and grow.
  We can no longer continue with the failed economic policies of the 
past couple of years. As was seen with the nearly $1 trillion failed 
stimulus program from last year, throwing money at our economic problem 
does not create jobs. Instead, we need to tackle the heart of the issue 
and create an environment that attracts new businesses and allows them 
to successfully compete in our global economy. Industries across all 
sectors have been reluctant to expand, in large part due to the 
uncertainty over the slew of heavy-handed government regulations. I 
believe reducing and eliminating these costly regulations will 
stimulate confidence and allow small businesses to grow and be 
successful.
  Today and tomorrow, Members will have an opportunity to vote on 
legislation to delay two of these job-killing regulations and give 
industry officials more time to come into compliance. H.R. 2681 and 
H.R. 2250 are two important bills that will give the EPA 15 months to 
re-propose and finalize regulations on boilers, process heaters, 
incinerators, and cement manufacturing facilities. Additionally, these 
bills instruct the EPA to establish new rules that are actually 
achievable, and are in the least burdensome regulatory standard.
  The Cement MACT and Boiler MACT rules are two examples of over-
regulation by the government that are estimated to cost billions of 
dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs. The Boiler MACT regulations 
are estimated to affect approximately 200,000 boilers, and have a 
compliance cost of approximately $14.4 billion, threatening 200,000 
jobs. Even the EPA has admitted that more time was needed to consider 
this rule, given the outpouring of concerns they received from industry 
officials. The impact of the Boiler MACT regulations will be felt 
across a wide range of industry sectors including agriculture, 
chemical, biomass power, forest and paper, refining and municipal 
utilities. I believe we need to give the EPA more time to reconsider 
this rule, and we must also give those affected by it a reasonable 
amount of time to comply.
  Additionally, the Cement MACT regulations are another set of rules 
that will have major implications on jobs. According to the Portland 
Cement Association (PCA), the likely cost of compliance for the cement 
industry is estimated at $3.4 billion, nearly half of the industry's 
annual revenues. It will cost an additional $2 billion to comply with 
incinerator requirements. The PCA estimates that almost 20 percent of 
the domestic industry will potentially shutdown due to these 
regulations. In addition to the jobs lost by the plant closures, the 
effect of rising cement prices on our already struggling construction 
industry is cause for serious concern.
  I am mindful of the fact that we must do our part to preserve our 
environment for future generations, which includes reasonable 
environmental regulations. However, it is troubling to see the EPA's 
total disregard for our current economic situation, and its push for 
unrealistic and unattainable goals that are stifling economic growth. 
Just last month, President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress 
demanding that Congress pass legislation to restore confidence in our 
economy and create jobs. I am pleased that House Republicans have once 
again brought to the floor legislation that does just that. I strongly 
support passage of H.R. 2681 and H.R. 2250, and urge my colleagues to 
support these bills.

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