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Global warming issues split into two new EPW subcommittees
BY DARREN SAMUELSOHN, E&E DAILY, 11/17/06
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will include two new global warming subcommittees and a separate panel focused specifically on air pollution issues under a reorganization plan for the 110th Congress unveiled yesterday by incoming Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).
Besides handling overall committee leadership duties, Boxer assigned herself the gavel on the Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight, Children's Health Protection and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) will chair the Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection Subcommittee.
Boxer's full committee will have primary jurisdiction over bills to cap U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases. "We anticipate that all legislation will be marked up at the full committee level," said Boxer spokeswoman Natalie Ravitz.
And while some climate hearings will take place in the two separate subcommittees, the full committee also will be a main forum for hearings because of member interest in the issue, Ravitz added.
Boxer's subcommittee also will be in charge of broad oversight into a range of environmental issues, such as U.S. EPA rulemakings, as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and National Environmental Policy Act.
And Lieberman's panel has the lead role in examining different business strategies to address climate change, as well as national wildlife refuges and the Endangered Species Act.
Lieberman previously ran the EPW subcommittee on climate change and air pollution but gave up the gavel in 2003 to focus on what ended up as an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Clean Air Act issues fall to Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), cosponsor of a bill earlier this year designed to limit power plant emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and mercury. The Carper-led Clean Air, Nuclear Plant Security and Community Development Subcommittee also takes jurisdiction over indoor air, the Tennessee Valley Authority and Economic Development Administration.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) holds the Superfund and Environmental Health Subcommittee gavel. The former First Lady and possible 2008 presidential candidate will supervise the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Toxic Substances Control Act and Persistent Organic Pollutants. Clinton also will have authority over recycling, interstate waste, environmental justice and risk assessment.
The Water Resources Development Act resides with Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Other issues for Baucus' panel include highways, public buildings, federal disaster relief, dam safety, the Mississippi River Commission and green buildings.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) is in charge of drinking water, chemical and wastewater security, as well as the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. His Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security and Water Quality Subcommittee also controls invasive species, outer continental shelf lands and the Coastal Zone Management Act.
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