Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Recent News About Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
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Ranking Member Capito Votes in Favor of Hanson’s Nomination to Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) voted in favor of NRC Chairman Hanson’s nomination, citing commitments he made to improve the NRC’s processes and operations. In her remarks at the business meeting, she expressed her support for Chairman Hanson and his efforts to address concerns within the NRC.Capito stated, “Thank you, Chairman Carper. Thank you for holding this business meeting.” She highlighted the importance of reliable electric generation in meeting energy demands and raised concerns about the Biden administration's energy regulations impacting...
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Capito Statement on White House Permitting Rules Adding Red Tape, Delays to Project Review Process
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, criticized the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) for issuing final National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules that she believes will hinder infrastructure projects. Capito expressed her concerns, stating, "The White House continues to say it is in favor of making it easier to build things in America while at the same time imposing more and more regulations that will do the opposite." She further added, "Unfortunately, the...
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Ranking Member Capito's Opening Statement at Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Christopher Hanson to serve another term.Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito opened the hearing by expressing gratitude, stating, "Thank you, Chairman Carper, for calling today’s hearing," and acknowledging Chairman Hanson's presence with, "And thank you, Chair Hanson, for being here today."Capito highlighted the importance of nuclear energy, emphasizing the need for increased electricity generation from...
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Increased Capacity and Efficiency at Nuclear Regulatory Commission Crucial for U.S. Energy and Environmental Future
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, engaged in a hearing on the nomination of Christopher Hanson to continue serving on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). During the hearing, Ranking Member Capito emphasized the necessity of the NRC working in person to fulfill its mission, raised concerns about Hanson's decisions as NRC Chairman, and pushed for improvements in the NRC's capacity to efficiently approve nuclear reactor license applications.Discussing the importance of...
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Ranking Member Capito Opening Statement at Hearing on Air Quality Monitoring
On April 10, 2024, Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia delivered her opening statement at a Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing focused on "Examining the State of Air Quality Monitoring Technology."Capito expressed her gratitude, stating, "Thank you Chairman Carper, and thank you all for being here with us today." She raised concerns about the administration's handling of air monitoring data quality, noting, "I am a bit concerned about the administration and some of the neglect I've seen in the major flaws in the air monitoring...
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Senate Votes to Overturn Federal Highway Administration’s Emissions Mandate on State DOTs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a significant move, the U.S. Senate has approved a measure aimed at overturning the Biden administration's greenhouse emissions performance measure final rule imposed on state departments of transportation (DOTs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). The resolution was co-sponsored by Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito and sponsored by Senator Kevin Cramer.The Senate passed the Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval by a vote of 53-47, marking a rejection of the administration's attempt to enforce emissions targets...
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Capito Criticizes EPA's New Drinking Water Standard for PFAS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, expressed her concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) newly announced drinking water standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including PFOA and PFOS."Americans should be able to feel confident their drinking water is safe and clean," stated Ranking Member Capito. She added, "For years, I have urged multiple administrations to issue a safe drinking water standard that is scientifically sound, based...
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Capito, Wicker, McMorris Rodgers Lead Amicus Brief Against EPA's 'Good Neighbor' Rule
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, and U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, along with 44 of their colleagues, have filed a bicameral amicus curiae brief challenging the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) so-called "Good Neighbor" air rule. The brief accuses the EPA of overstepping its authority and attempting to transform the power sector by imposing burdensome regulations on American power production."Acting well beyond its delegated powers under the [Clean Air Act], EPA’s Rule proposes to remake the energy sector in the affected states...
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REPORT: Capito, EPW Republicans Outline Impacts of Biden’s Overreaching 2024 Regulatory Agenda
Today, U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) unveiled a report titled, “Biden’s 2024 Environmental Agenda and its Road to Ruin,” which sheds light on the potential consequences of President Biden’s upcoming regulatory agenda. In the report, Capito warns of the detrimental effects that the administration’s environmental rules and regulations could have on various aspects of American society.Capito expressed her concerns, stating, “Despite clear warnings from American consumers and job creators, and loss after...
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Capito: EPA’s Attacks on American Energy Continue with Harmful Natural Gas Tax
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, has raised significant concerns regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed tax on natural gas producers. Senator Capito's letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan outlines the impact of this tax being implemented as part of the Democrats' "Inflation Reduction Act," which she describes as harmful to American energy workers and employers.In her letter, Senator Capito criticizes the EPA for the implementation delay of the...
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Capito, Manchin Urge EPA to Protect Lime Manufacturing in WV from Burdensome Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, have raised concerns over the potential impact of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations on the lime manufacturing industry in West Virginia.In a joint statement, Capito and Manchin expressed their worries about the proposed National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Lime Manufacturing Plants Amendments...
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Capito, Carper Secure Key Nuclear Energy Extension in Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito and U.S. Senator Tom Carper have announced the inclusion of an extension of the Price-Anderson Act in the package of six fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills. In a joint statement, the senators emphasized the importance of this extension in advancing carbon-free nuclear energy in the United States.Capito and Carper highlighted the significance of the Price-Anderson Act in enabling the expansion of nuclear energy, which currently accounts for a substantial portion of the nation's electricity and clean energy production....
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Capito Opening Statement: ‘Polluters Pay’ Model with Passive Receiver Protections Critical to Addressing PFAS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing titled, “Examining PFAS as Hazardous Substances.” Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito delivered an opening statement emphasizing the importance of addressing PFAS contamination and the need for bipartisan collaboration in developing solutions.Capito highlighted the prevalence of PFAS in various industries since the 1940s and stressed the importance of prioritizing actions to address the health risks associated with these chemicals. She expressed her commitment to working with...
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Ranking Member Capito Statement on EPA’s Electric Vehicles Mandate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, expressed her concerns regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new electric vehicles mandate. Senator Capito criticized the finalized rules, stating, "With the final electric vehicle rules announced today, the Biden administration is deciding for Americans which kinds of cars they are allowed to buy, rent, and drive." She further pointed out the contradiction in the EPA's actions, noting, "Ironically, this is all coming at...
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Capito at PFAS Hearing: Advocating for Polluters to Pay for Cleanup
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), partaking in a hearing focused on "Examining PFAS as Hazardous Substances," reiterated the importance of ensuring that polluters bear the responsibility for the cleanup of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals."Capito highlighted the purpose of the hearing, stating, "This is a public forum to get into sort of the nitty gritty of what we've been trying to work on in private by getting stakeholders from every single aspect of this issue... We're aiming at the...
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Senate Passes Recycling, Composting Legislation Led by Capito, Carper, Boozman
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Tom Carper, and John Boozman are celebrating the Senate's passage of bipartisan legislation aimed at improving the nation's recycling and composting systems.The legislation includes the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2023 and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, both introduced by Capito, Carper, and Boozman. These bills focus on increasing access to recycling services, improving data collection on recycling systems, and exploring opportunities for a national composting strategy....
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Capito Welcomes WV Economic Development Leaders as EPW Committee Advances Bill to Reauthorize the EDA
Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), as the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, welcomed West Virginia economic development district leaders to a committee business meeting. The panel voted to advance the Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024 by voice vote, a bill introduced by Capito alongside Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Mark Kelly (R-Ariz.).Ranking Member Capito expressed her satisfaction with the progress made, stating, "Today, the EPW Committee took an important step for...
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Ranking Member Capito Shares Concerns on Recycling and Waste Management Policies
Senator Shelley Moore Capito, the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, expressed her concerns about recycling and waste management policies during a recent hearing. Capito emphasized the need to find realistic solutions to the waste problem faced both in the United States and globally.During her opening statement, Capito acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating, "Like any complex issue, it’s kind of easy to sit here and list out all the problems, but it’s very difficult to start finding realistic solutions." She highlighted the...
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# Capito Applauds NRC Commissioners for Improving Advanced Nuclear Reactor Licensing Rulemaking
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito commended the NRC Commissioners for their efforts in enhancing the advanced nuclear reactor licensing rulemaking. In a statement, Senator Capito expressed her appreciation, stating, "I applaud the NRC Commissioners for addressing major shortcomings in the draft proposed rule." She emphasized the importance of establishing a regulatory framework to facilitate the licensing and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, referring to the Commission's direction to rectify the flawed Part 53 rulemaking as a positive step towards advancing clean...
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Capito, Carper Introduce Legislation to Bolster Wildlife Conservation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Tom Carper have introduced the America's Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act, a bipartisan legislation aimed at bolstering wildlife conservation efforts and protecting ecosystems from evolving threats. The bill seeks to continue habitat restoration, wildlife conservation, and enhance public-private partnerships in the United States."The ACE Act includes important provisions to support conservation and habitat restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay, which will help boost our state's outdoor...