OVERNIGHT REGULATION: Boxer rallies against rival chemical bill

Welcome to OVERNIGHT REGULATION, your daily rundown of rules from Capitol Hill and beyond. It’s Tuesday evening here in Washington and we’re wondering what will happen to all the Downtown Abbey-inspired decorations in Rep. Aaron Schock’s (R-Ill.) office when he resigns at the end of the month.

Here’s what else is happening in Congress and the federal agencies we cover.

 

THE BIG STORY

Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer (Calif.) and Edward Markey (Mass.) spent Tuesday rallying against competing chemical reform legislation.

In a press conference, Boxer said she has a draft copy of the bill Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and David Vitter (R-La.) introduced last week that proves the legislation was drafted by the chemical industry. 

“It was clear from the computer coding that the final draft originated at the American Chemical Council itself,” she said.

Her allegation comes a day before a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.

Udall spokeswoman Jennifer Talhelm said the document Boxer is circulating is a draft of the legislation that a number of groups gave input on.

“This bill was written by Sen. Udall and Sen. Vitter in one of the most open and inclusive processes for a major piece of legislation to ensure all sides got a chance to be heard — environmental advocates, industry, public health NGOs and others all were involved,” she said.

“ACC had no more input than environmental groups, and as a result of the input from many stakeholders, the bill has moved further toward what environmental groups and others said they wanted to see.”

Despite attacks from Boxer that the Udall-Vitter bill fails to specifically address asbestos and takes away the ability of states to issue protections, the bipartisan bill seems to be on track to pass Congress.

The bill has eight Democratic co-sponsors, two more than the six needed to override any filibuster in the Senate.

 

ON TAP FOR WEDNESDAY

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing to discuss the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act at 9:30 a.m. http://1.usa.gov/1ACek1p

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on oversight of the Federal Communications Commission. http://1.usa.gov/1EFvjVP

The House Appropriations Committee’s Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on closing the achievement gap in higher education. http://1.usa.gov/1GSeuph

The House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing on new challenges for small manufacturers. http://1.usa.gov/1FxHogd

 

TOMORROW’S REGS TODAY

The Obama administration will publish 184 new regulations, proposed rules, notices and other administrative actions in Wednesday’s edition of the Federal Register.

Here’s what to watch for:

–The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will update the 2015 drug and alcohol testing rates for transit employees.

The FTA says it will only require the minimum standard for drug and alcohol testing, because the industry has performed well over the last two years.

The agency will require transportation companies to randomly test 25 percent of safety-sensitive employees for drugs, and 10 percent for alcohol, which is the same rate as last year.

In 2014, less than 1 percent of transit employees failed drug and alcohol tests, according to the agency.

“The annual report includes the number of employees who had a verified positive for the use of prohibited drugs, and the number of employees who tested positive for the misuse of alcohol during the reported year,” the agency writes. http://bit.ly/1AC1i3S

–The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will delay potentially new radiation protection standards for industry.

The NRC issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking last July that would change the radiation standards, but will extend the comment period to give the public more time to consider the potential changes.

The public will have until June 22 to comment. http://bit.ly/1xvGLgn

–The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will finalize an air pollution emissions review of off-site waste and recovery operations.

The agency will also clarify emissions limits during the startup, shutdown, and malfunction of these systems, among other things.

The changes will go into effect immediately. http://bit.ly/1xcjvJB

 

NEWS RIGHT NOW

Race: The chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus says the Senate may be delaying the confirmation of Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch because of her race. http://bit.ly/1wWcHiX

EPA: President Obama’s former law professor is accusing the Environmental Protection Agency of being “constitutionally reckless.” http://bit.ly/1AC37Oh

Farmers: The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Waters of the U.S. rule would have “dire and significant consequences” for farmers, Republicans say. http://bit.ly/1O3yZ7U

Climate skepticism: Al Gore, a former vice president turned climate activist, is calling for the Obama administration to “put a price” on climate skepticism. http://bit.ly/1HYbEQK

Chemical reform: A bipartisan group of senators say there is growing support for legislation that would overhaul the nation’s outdated chemical safety laws. http://bit.ly/1AC4Djw

Not so fast: But some Democrats like Sen. Barbara Boxer (Calif.) are upset with the chemical reform bill. http://bit.ly/1xcmJwS

Internet regulations: Republicans are calling out the head of the Federal Communications Commission over secret meetings he had with White House officials. http://bit.ly/1FxsCpr

 

BY THE NUMBERS

8.4 percent: How much lower electric bills will be by 2030

$260 to $840 billion: how much EPA’s proposed clean power plant rule is expected to contribute to the economy over 10 years

(Source: Public Citizen.)

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I think race certainly can be considered a major factor in the delay,” — Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, talking about the Senate’s delay in confirming Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch. 

 

We’ll work to stay on top of these and other stories throughout the week, so check The Hill’s Regulation page (http://digital-stage.thehill.com/regulation) early and often for the latest. And send any comments, complaints or regulatory news tips our way, tdevaney@digital-stage.thehill.com or lwheeler@digital-stage.thehill.com. And follow us at @timdevaney and@wheelerlydia.

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