coming before us again today. A bipartisan group of senators, led by Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown and Ohio Republican J.D. a significant rate. Oregonians know Ron as a senator who listens. Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw speaks to reporters, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, near the site where a freight train derailed Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA 2022) authorizes much-needed investments in projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) across the country. really about inflation but about funding partisan priorities. Copyright 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. report referenced here, and the EPA We have a reliability problem in Workers and damaged tank cars during cleanup in the aftermath of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment that has created concern by residents over the release of toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, Feb. 18, 2023. WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Joseph Goffman to be assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Office of Air and Radiation.Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has previously voiced her strong opposition to Goffmans nomination, including at a May 2022 hearing, a July 2022 business meeting, and in a July 2022 op-ed.Below is the opening statement of Ranking Member Capito as delivered.Thank you, Mr. Chairman, thank you.I value our partnership as we consider the nominees. The third item of Senator Sullivan serves on four Senate committees vital to Alaska: Armed Services, Environment and Public Works Committee, Veterans' Affairs, and Commerce, Science and Transportation. And so that'll be substantive part of my questioning.Second, another significant event since your last hearing was the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Even the United Mine Workers of America, our nations largest union of coal miners, have voiced their support for Mr. Goffmans nomination to lead the Office of Air and Radiation. Tomlinson previously practice law at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia. Because of the IRA, not only were more coal by Keturah Hetrick on 02/22/2023. Senate Budget Republicans add judicial-advocacy lobbyist. He will be responsible for nuclear safety and EPA science issues. Oct 5, 2020, What They Are Saying Broad Support for ACE Act as it Passes Congress focused on.. Please sign up for our advisory group to be a part of making GovTrack a better tool for what you do. We hope to make GovTrack more useful to policy professionals like you. As predicted, that bill has failed in achieving its titular purpose as inflation remains stubbornly high.But then, in my view, it was never really about inflation but about funding partisan priorities. Would you like to join our advisory group to work with us on the future of GovTrack? Courtney Taylor joins the EPW Committee as the new Democratic Staff Director after serving as Senior Vice President at ML Strategies. So earlier this week, the Wall state of West Virginia where I live. January 12, 2023 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA), also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nations highways, bridges, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. "As the [National Transportation Safety Board] has noted, there are also industry-wide issues, and we would expect that other industry participants will also be involved in future hearings. Alan Shaw will appear before the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee during a March 9 hearing. our staffs have talked about this. Importantly, he follows the law in a way that also provides the Predictability and certainty that industry wants and needs. Having worked with Mr. Goffman, I know he is well-prepared for this role and look forward to doing my part to advance his nomination without delay. ", The Norfolk Southern spokesperson said in their statement, of proposed rail legislation, "The rail industry needs to learn as much as we can from East Palestine. . Majority Members (11)Minority Members (10)Sanders, Bernard (VT), Chairman Murray, Patty (WA) Casey, Robert P. (PA) Baldwin, Tammy (WI) Murphy, Christopher (CT) Kaine . Why is that the case? His official schedule is viewable below. Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has previously voiced her strong opposition to Goffman’s nomination, including at a . like the replacement to the Clean Power Plan, the new effluent limitation We have some new members on our PJM is ringing the alarm about the Republican Staff Director of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee Legislative Assistant Feb 2018 - Jan 20213 years Staffed U.S.. You have the charts I know because the record. including at a May 2022 hearing, a July 2022 business meeting, and in a July 2022 op-ed. While a lot can change in nine months, Joes qualifications for this important leadership role, his commitment to fair outcomes, and his nominations broad support from stakeholder groups all remain unchanged. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Committee Hide Overview Recent Activity Nomination: White Nomination: Ritch Nomination: Renick Nomination: Klein Nomination: Moore Committee Meetings View this committee schedule Website: https://epw.senate.gov/public/ Information on subcommittees, membership, leadership, news, and more. Jurisdiction [ edit] Members are listed in order of their rank on the committee and its subcommittees. Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. So you've been at the administration McCormick returned to the committee staff in 2020. Over fifty groups, representing a broad coalition of interests, have voiced their support for Joe Goffmans nomination to serve as Assistant Administrator. (EPW) Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Joseph Goffman to In a statement, a spokesperson for Norfolk Southern said Shaw told the committee "that he . Meredith previously served as a senior advisor to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and as a policy counsel in the EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management. agencies with broad authorities, like the authority to fundamentally change our 1,923 Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Premium High Res Photos Browse 1,923 senate environment & public works committee stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. fuel generation.. remains stubbornly high. This incident requires a broad industry response, and we will also work with the owners of the rail cars on the integrity and safety of the equipment we use.". Act, on coal power plants moving forward. consent that. Environment and Public Works: Carper, Thomas R. (D-DE) Capito, Shelley Moore (R-WV) . He is a native of Cross Lanes, West Virginia.Travis Voyles will serve as oversight counsel for the committee. We are also still on Instagram at @govtrack.us posting 60-second summary videos of legislation in Congress. released last week, excuse me, by PJM, which serves more than 65 million people The Environment and Public Works Committee led climate and equity investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, Carper, Pallone File Amicus Brief Defending EPAs Authority to Establish Vehicle Emissions Standards, EPW Committee to Hold Hearing on East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment, Chairman Carpers Opening Statement: Hearing on the Nomination of Joseph Goffman, Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester Announce Millions for Clean Water Investments in Delaware, Ranking Member Capito Opening Statement: Joe Goffmans Dangerous Regulatory Record, Job-Killing Agenda, VIDEO: EPAs Joe Goffman to Ranking Member Capito: Inflation Reduction Act Will Devastate Coal, Natural Gas Jobs, Production, After Capito, Graves Pledge to Formally Challenge Federal Highways Memo, FHWA Issues Substantially Revised Replacement, Ranking Member Capito Statement on EPA Reviving its Coal-Killing MATS Rule. concern are the warnings being sounded by the grid operators. in place. If you can, please take a few minutes to help us improve GovTrack for users like you. and waste categories to disproportionately affect our coal power. including at a, So earlier this week, the Wall That will be the substance of my Oct 30, 2020, President Trump Signs Bipartisan Wildlife Conservation Bill into Law He has also previously served as legislative director to Representative Andy Barr (R-Ky.) and as a legislative assistant to Representative Hal Rogers (R-Ky.).Will Dixon will serve as research assistant for the committee and will support the committees environment team. presentation, which I have here, I have the presentation here, be put into Street [Journal] editorial board wrote After nearly 30 years working in the House and Senate, including 6 years with Carpers team on the EPW Committee, Mary Frances Repko is departing Congress. A case successfully led by Its because he cares about doing things the right way and listening to the concerns of all who may be impacted by changes to our nations clean air standards. have said accurately is that it is designed to have a significant impact on our Barrett has previously served as staff director to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committees Subcommittee on Highways and Transit under former Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-Mo.) Mitchell previously served as staff assistant in Senator Capitos personal office.Kelley Moore will serve as communications director for the committee and Senator Capitos personal office. If nothing has changed, does that In a statement, a spokesperson for Norfolk Southern said Shaw told the committee "that he . 2018, created two new joint select committees of the House and Senate. Young Americans have historically been the least involved in politics, despite the huge consequences policies can have on them. ABC News' Sasha Pezenik contributed to this report. nation's energy sector, Congress speaks clearly. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had called for Shaw to appear for a hearing during floor remarks on Monday. Im so excited to welcome Courtney Taylor as my new Staff Director on the EPW Committee. Youve cast your vote. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has legislative jurisdiction on matters related to environmental protection, resource utilization and conservation, and public infrastructure. events that apply directly to the air offices responsibilities and authority What proponents have said accurately is that it is designed to have a significant impact on our baseload power resources in this country, especially our coal resources.In a recent presentation, the staff from the EPA Office of Air and Radiation discuss some of the initial findings that EPA has made about the effects of the IRA, or Inflation Reduction Act, on coal power plants moving forward.The EPA staff confirmed that the legislation will drive down the deployment and use of coal and power plants at a significant rate.So the charts behind me, these are charts from the EPA presentation, shows exactly that. "The American people should hear from Norfolk Southern CEO precisely why they thought it was a good idea to spend years lobbying to loosen regulations designed to prevent accidents like this," Schumer said. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del. From the earliest days of his career, when he helped develop the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 as a staff member on this very committee, to his time at EPA under Presidents Obama, and now Biden, Joe Goffman has dedicated his lifes work to cleaning up the air we breathe and protecting our one and only planet. effects that retirement will have and how most power plant retirements are legislation will drive down the deployment and use of coal and power plants at Nov 18, 2020, Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Revitalize Americas Nuclear Infrastructure Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito These regulatory policies will Hackers/journalists/researchers: See these open data sources. As we know from our presentation in February of 2022, you've been a critical advisor in the development of the administration's so called EGU strategy, a plan to dump a number of new regulations across the air, water, and waste categories to disproportionately affect our coal power.And the effects of these regulations like the replacement to the Clean Power Plan, the new effluent limitation guidelines under the Clean Water Act, and the so called Good Neighbor rule will further hit coal plants in our industrial heartland.So the Inflation Reduction Act is bad news for coal communities in West Virginia, and I think devastates.I have mentioned West Virginia versus the EPA. Oct 29, 2020, Carper Joins Conservation Groups in Celebrating Americas Conservation Enhancement Act Finally, Joe Goffmans nomination has the support of some of our nations largest labor unions, including the AFL-CIO and the United Steel Workers. Well be in touch. Democratic legislation would ban Donald Trump from entering Capitol Building again, Social Media Child Protection Act would ban children younger than 16 from platforms like TikTok, REAL House Act, Equal Voice Act would each increase number of House of Representatives members. Oct 22, 2020, Carper, Van Hollen, Feinstein Lead Colleagues in Urging Trump Administration to Stop Rollback of Protections for Migratory Birds GovTrack.us is not a government website. Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw speaks to reporters, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, near the site where a freight train derailed Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. "Through this legislation, Congress has a real opportunity to ensure that what happened in East Palestine will never happen again," Vance said in a statement. Their votes also put the Senate's environment and climate policy into the hands of the worst science-denier in national politics: Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe, who is almost certainly the next. And so I think it's important in light of the discussion today. The Public Works Committee took the lead in passing the 1970 Clean Air Act and . As expected, these groups include some of our largest environmental organizations, such as the National Resources Defense Council, the Environmental Defense Fund, the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club, and the League of Conservation Votersjust to name a few. This incident requires a broad industry response, and we will also work with the owners of the rail cars on the integrity and safety of the equipment we use.". Vance, introduced legislation on Wednesday looking to regulate the railroad industry. XML Show entries Search: He has the heart of a public servant, and we look forward to hearing from him today., Permalink: https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2023/3/chairman-carper-s-opening-statement-hearing-on-the-nomination-of-joseph-goffman, The Environment and Public Works Committee led climate and equity investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, Chairman Carpers Opening Statement: Hearing on the Nomination of Joseph Goffman, https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2023/3/chairman-carper-s-opening-statement-hearing-on-the-nomination-of-joseph-goffman. about the types of policies that are driving power plant retirement, and But the graphs we're looking at only S. 518 (115th): Small and Rural Community Clean Water Technical Assistance Act, S. 675 (115th): Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act, S. 826 (115th): Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Act, S. 2795 (114th): Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, S. 2816 (114th): Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2016, S. 2848 (114th): Water Resources Development Act of 2016, S. 921 (114th): Delaware River Basin Conservation Act of 2015, S. 1724 (114th): Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015, S. 2808 (114th): John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2016, S. 659 (114th): Bipartisan Sportsmens Act of 2016, S. 1024 (114th): Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2016, S. 1674 (114th): Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act. Subcommittee on Defense. It is with great sadness that I announce the departure of Mary Frances Repko from my team. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has legislative jurisdiction on matters related to environmental protection, resource utilization and conservation, and public infrastructure. Oct 27, 2020, ICYMI: Barrasso Op-Ed: Activist Judges Cause Grizzly Danger for Wyoming The Budget Committee does not have subcommittees. policy driven. Zach previously served as professional staff under former EPW Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.). Mastodon is an alternative social media platform. As findings that EPA has made about the effects of the IRA, or Inflation Reduction By joining our advisory group, you can help us make GovTrack more useful and engaging to young voters like you. The bill boasts an impressive group of bipartisan co-sponsors, including Sens. Thank you for joining the GovTrack Advisory Community! We hope to enable educators to build lesson plans centered around any bill or vote in Congress, even those as recent as yesterday. As Ive said before, the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation has an outsized impact on our lives. U.S. For West Virginia, what that means While much has changed since Mr. Goffman last appeared before this committee nine months agoincluding the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the growth of clean energy manufacturing jobs in our nation, and the lowest unemployment rate since 1969the strong and diverse support for his nomination has not wavered. That's not the end of the line of the I also spent one year as a Fellow on the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee staff, working on legislative issues and executive branch oversight. Sen. Whitehouse adds environmental lobbyist in Budget Committee climate-change fight. Senator Kelly is committed to transparency and accountability in government. He previously served as Republican staff director for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. He is a native of Huntington, West Virginia.Tyler Jenkins will serve as research assistant for the committee and will support the committees oversight team. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee marked up its iteration of the bill, outlined here, and it was unanimously approved by the committee. by Keturah Hetrick on 02/22/2023. Majority Members (10) Minority Members (9) Manchin, Joe (WV), Chairman Wyden, Ron (OR) Cantwell, Maria (WA) . Senator Tom Carper (D-Del. Because of the IRA, not only were more coal plants retire, but the usage of those still in service will be much lower.You have the charts I know because our staffs have talked about this. There, the Supreme Court held that the Clean Power Plan was an illegal overreach of EPAs authorityWhen Congress wishes to vest agencies with broad authorities, like the authority to fundamentally change our nation's energy sector, Congress speaks clearly.Congress does not address major policy questions through silence or ambiguous grants of authority. Really three major events that apply directly to the air offices responsibilities and authority since we last saw you.The first being the Supreme Court landmark decision in West Virginia versus the EPA. Collier previously held the same position in Senator Capitos personal office.Travis Cone will serve as the committees deputy staff director and will oversee the committee staffs environment team. Bob Casey, D-Pa., John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla. The bulletin is revised in real time during business hours. Enterprise. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. 20[22]. Joe, we thank you for your previous service to our nation and your willingness to serve us again. Prior to joining EPA, she served as associate counsel at American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers.Jacob Mitchell will serve as research assistant for the committee and will support the committees infrastructure team. He also is pushing every member of Congress to follow his lead and publicly share their official schedules online. S. 1523 (114th): A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, and for other purposes. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. 7: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency, S. 2372 (117th): Recovering Americas Wildlife Act of 2022, S. 3742 (117th): Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2022, S. 3743 (117th): Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, S. 4136 (117th): Water Resources Development Act of 2022, S. 1931 (117th): Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021, S. 914 (117th): Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021, S. 3590 (116th): Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020, S. 3051 (116th): Americas Conservation Enhancement Act, S. 2302 (116th): Americas Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2019. ). S.115 - Clean Water Allotment Modernization . A bipartisan group of senators, led by Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown and Ohio Republican J.D. And although we're not always voting the same way, it's Still, as we begin the 118th Congress, there is no shortage of critical work ahead of us. overreaching ways? To translate what these charts mean in real-world terms your agency's predicting the IRA itself will drive significant decreases in coal usage.For West Virginia, what that means is further hits to communities devastated by policies that were previously put in place. done a lot of work throughout your course of your career. ), as prepared for delivery: by Keturah Hetrick on 02/21/2023. WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works The Senate Finance Committee must find at least $80 billion over five years in order to fund the gap between current projected dedicated revenues and spending levels prescribed in the EPW bill. During a first round of questions, Ranking Member Capito pressed . The Senate Internship Opportunities Bulletin is published as a service to Senate offices choosing to advertise internship opportunities. And as the Chairman mentioned, a lot has changed. (source), Visit us on Mastodon On 24 May, EC officials, and international group of cultural figures and academic experts met to discuss the New European Agenda for Culture in a workshop held at the European University Institute., Gillian Doyle gave the opening keynote at the ICA pre-conference on Screen Industries in East-Central Europe held at the National Film Archive in Prague on 22-23 May 2018., Dr Inge Srensen gave . And it's going to be gravely exacerbated by policies that drive away critical baseload energy resources like coal and natural gas.These regulatory policies will likely render unachievable the administration's goal to electrify certain industries that currently do not depend on the grid such as automobiles or gas ranges as grid operators struggle to fill current, nevermind future, demand.So earlier this week, the Wall Street [Journal] editorial board wrote about the types of policies that are driving power plant retirement, and how those plants are shutting down without adequate replacement power.They cite a report released last week, excuse me, by PJM, which serves more than 65 million people across 13 states including the District of Columbia where we are and also the state of West Virginia where I live.PJM is ringing the alarm about the effects that retirement will have and how most power plant retirements are policy driven.This is a quote from their report, policies like an EGU strategy could lead to energy shortages and blackouts, as the Journal observed, quote, he steep costs of complying with EPA agency regulations, including a proposed Good Neighbor rule that is expected to be finalized next month, will force the shuttering of 10,500 megawatts of fossil fuel generation.So I'm going to request unanimous consent that the editorial, the PJM report referenced here, and the EPA presentation, which I have here, I have the presentation here, be put into the record.That will be the substance of my questions.