GOP SEEKS TO LIMIT BILL REQUIRING EPA PERCHLORATE CLEANUP LEVEL

摘要

House Republicans are hoping to scale back long-sought Democratic legislation requiring EPA to set by a date certain an enforceable cleanup level for perchlorate, the ubiquitous rocket fuel and munitions ingredient that contaminates drinking water. Democrats on a key House Energy & Commerce Committee panel are planning a Nov. 8 markup of H.R. 1747, a bill that would require EPA to propose a drinking water standard, known as a maximum contaminant level (MCL), for perchlorate within 12 months of enactment. The chemical — which is believed to contaminate groundwater in more than 30 states — can impair thyroid function and affect fetal development, according to EPA. The agency in April announced it was delaying a decision on whether to set an MCL for perchlorate, saying it was still seeking additional exposure data on the sources of the substance. Ben Grumbles, EPA's water chief, told Congress April 25 that the agency would decide no later than 2010 on whether to set an MCL for perchlorate.