[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 167 (Thursday, November 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PROTECTING STATES' RIGHTS TO PROMOTE AMERICAN ENERGY SECURITY ACT

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2728) to 
     recognize States' authority to regulate oil and gas 
     operations and promote American energy security, development, 
     and job creation:

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2728, 
which would prevent the federal government from ever implementing a 
uniform baseline level of safety and environmental protection in 
hydraulic fracturing operations across the country.
  Today's bill would preempt a rulemaking process that is not yet 
completed and require the federal government to defer to state 
regulations of fracking on public lands, no matter what those 
regulations may be. Moreover, because the bill forbids the Department 
of the Interior from exercising oversight over ``any component of' the 
fracking process, it could prevent application of basic protections 
under a variety of existing environmental laws.
  States vary widely in their efforts to manage the expanded use of 
hydraulic fracturing and the federal government has a responsibility to 
provide a minimum baseline of oversight to protect our public lands, 
public safety, and public health. H.R. 2728 would block any proposed 
standards and impede existing law, and I urge a no vote.

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