[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 125 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              OUR NEIGHBORS JUST WANT TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR

  (Ms. TLAIB asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I introduced the Cumulative Impacts Act to 
protect frontline communities by requiring the EPA to consider 
cumulative impacts of pollution and deny permits unless they can 
demonstrate that no harm will be done to the community, especially 
public health.
  It is ridiculous that our current permitting processes do not account 
for all nearby sources of pollution.
  From southwest Detroit to Dearborn's South End, which is home to an 
extreme concentration of corporate polluters, and sits directly across 
the road from schools, homes, and playgrounds. Our kids are being 
taught that this is normal. It is not normal, Mr. Speaker.
  From 48217 to Poletown and Beniteau and the east side of Detroit, our 
neighbors across Detroit are forced to breathe emissions from dozens of 
corporate polluters like Marathon Oil, U.S. Ecology, Stellantis, 
Cleveland Cliffs, and so much more, all of whom routinely violate their 
permits because it is cheaper than following the law.
  Where pollution occurs is a policy choice, Mr. Speaker. It is 
environmental racism.
  Forcing regulators to analyze the cumulative impacts of pollution and 
deny permits for facilities that endanger public health would be a 
revolutionary, transformative change for our neighbors who just want to 
breathe clean air.

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