U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, made the following statement regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final Bristol Bay Assessment released today. In contrast to a fair and transparent regulatory process, the report analyzes potential mining impacts in hypothetical circumstances, even though proponents have not yet applied for a federal environmental permit.
"EPA is setting a dangerous precedent by justifying its political prejudices on a flawed Assessment based on hypotheticals," said Vitter. "Today's announcement shows just how Obama's EPA operates, choosing political motivation over giving a fair chance to businesses interested in investing in America and creating jobs. This is a very scary signal that the EPA is sending to businesses - that they are capable of and willing to kill a project before an application is even submitted."
Vitter and EPW Republicans have repeatedly questioned the EPA's commitment to fairness, transparency, and scientific rigor in their draft "Watershed Assessment."
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