H 4067 Session 112 (1997-1998)
H 4067 Concurrent Resolution, By Sharpe
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO
PASS AND PROPOSE FOR RATIFICATION TO THE STATES AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED
STATES CONSTITUTION TO RETAIN THE EXISTING NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
STANDARDS.
04/23/97 House Introduced HJ-8
04/23/97 House Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
Resolutions HJ-8
04/30/97 House Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
Memorial Resolutions HJ-67
05/06/97 House Adopted, sent to Senate HJ-41
05/07/97 Senate Introduced SJ-6
05/07/97 Senate Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
Resources SJ-6
COMMITTEE REPORT
April 30, 1997
H. 4067
Introduced by Rep. Sharpe
S. Printed 4/30/97--H.
Read the first time April 23, 1997.
THE COMMITTEE ON
INVITATIONS AND MEMORIAL
RESOLUTIONS
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4067),
memorializing the Congress of the United States, etc., respectfully
REPORT:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and
recommend that the same do pass:
RICHARD M. QUINN, JR., for Committee.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
MEMORIALIZING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
TO PASS AND PROPOSE FOR RATIFICATION TO THE
STATES AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION TO RETAIN THE EXISTING NATIONAL
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS.
Whereas, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has
proposed new standards for ozone and particulate matter; and
Whereas, these new standards significantly impact South Carolina by
expanding the number of nonattainment areas from zero to more than
eleven, resulting in emissions controls in additional areas, and thus
imposing significant economic, administrative, and regulatory
burdens on more citizens, businesses, and local governments; and
Whereas, there is little, if any, monitoring, or speciation data
available for fine particulate matter in the range proposed by EPA
(2.5 microns or smaller). The South Carolina Department of Health
and Environmental Control has stated that it would be extremely
difficult to identify major sources of emissions, and propose
successful control strategies without this data; and
Whereas, the South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control asserts that there are uncertainties in the
medical significance of protection gained by the proposed revision to
the ozone standard. There may not be an appreciable amount of
health benefits realized by selecting the proposed standard than
currently experienced from the existing standard; and
Whereas, EPA has projected that the implementation costs associated
with the proposed rule changes would outweigh the health benefits
realized; and
Whereas, the South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control believes that a level of protection, equivalent
to that proposed by the proposed standard, for at-risk populations,
can be achieved using voluntary measures such as use of enhanced
communication and outreach; and
Whereas, the South Carolina Department of Transportation has
determined that the new nonattainment areas resulting from EPA's
proposed changes to the ozone standard would have significant
difficulty in obtaining approval of transportation plans, and programs
in South Carolina; and
Whereas, various federal agencies have also raised concerns relative
to EPA's proposals, including the Office of Science and Technology
Policy, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U. S. Department
of Energy, and the Office of Management and Budget. Now,
therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate
concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly
memorialize the Congress of the United States to take whatever
action is necessary to retain the existing standard for ozone to allow
sufficient time to assess the impact of the current pollution control
programs before imposing more stringent requirements; retain the
existing PM standard, and require EPA to conduct the additional
PM2.5 monitoring, and scientific research needed to address the issue
of causality, and other important unanswered questions before a
proposal for a new PM2.5 standard, or a revised PM 10 standard is
made; and require EPA to identify, and remedy any unfunded
mandates, or other administrative, and economic burdens for state, or
local governments, or agencies that would derive from changes to the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone or particulate
matter.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
the administrator of the USEPA, each member of the South Carolina
Congressional Delegation, the Office of Management and Budget,
and the White House.
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