WASHINGTON, DC - Building upon the Energy and Commerce Committee’s #RecordOfSuccess, President Obama recently signed into law H.R. 212, the Drinking Water Protection Act. The bipartisan legislation was sponsored by committee member Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) and passed the Senate by voice vote last week. The Drinking Water Protection Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and submit a plan to Congress for assessing and managing risks from cyanotoxins in drinking water. Latta first introduced the measure following last summer’s algal bloom in Lake Erie.
“The Drinking Water Protection Act, now signed into law by the president, is a major step in addressing the crisis Ohioans faced last year when microcystin contaminated public drinking water, leaving nearly 500,000 residents unable to safely use their water. H.R. 212, is designed to better understand and further mitigate harmful algal toxins in the Great Lakes and other surface water," said Rep. Latta. “This law guarantees that the proper short and long-term focus is on scientific understanding and mitigation efforts. Within 90 days, the EPA has to put forth a strategic plan for assessing and managing risks associated with algal toxins in public drinking water. Millions of Ohioans rely on these resources for their drinking water supply, and it is imperative that we take action in order to ensure their public health and safety."
Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL) added, “Last year’s algal bloom in Lake Erie put millions of people’s drinking water at risk and I applaud Rep. Latta for effectively identifying the problem and working to enact a bipartisan solution. The Great Lakes mean an awful lot to folks throughout the Midwest and with Lake Erie’s algal bloom expected to be severe this year, this law couldn’t come at a better time."
