WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Republican Leader John Shimkus (R-IL) released the following statement applauding the passage of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act (H.R. 2699) during a subcommittee markup today of 15 environment bills.
“Science and the law tell us that the solution to the country’s nuclear waste problem is Yucca Mountain. For the 121 communities and 39 states across America where nuclear waste sits idle, today’s advancing of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act brings us one step closer to delivering on a long overdue promise to finally address this national issue. Building on the progress made last Congress, we are encouraged by the bipartisan support on the Energy and Commerce Committee for this much-needed legislation. We look forward to advancing the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act through the full committee, and remain committed to getting this bill across the finish line to President Trump," said Walden and Shimkus.
The leaders also expressed their concerns regarding PFAS legislation that advanced through the subcommittee today, and stressed the need to address these concerns before moving to a full committee markup on the legislation.
“While concerns remain about the additional legislation advanced through the subcommittee today - particularly the unintended consequences that non-science based decisions on PFAS may have on consumer products and the economy - we will continue to work with our colleagues where we can to address these issues before the full committee markup. We all want to protect the environment and our constituents, and that is best achieved through a measured approach that relies on sound science. Where we will not be able to agree is on bills that are void of scientific understanding and whose scope opens the door to uncertainty and unsupported regulation," said Walden and Shimkus
