Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together as we continue to seek a bipartisan path forward to help the people and the children living in the city of Flint, MI. Nearly 2 years ago, an unelected emergency manager appointed by Michigan's Governor changed the city of Flint's water source to the Flint River in an attempt to save money while the city prepared to transition to a new regional water authority.

After switching away from clean water sourced from the Detroit Water Authority, Flint residents began to receive improperly treated Flint River water, long known to be contaminated and potentially very corrosive. The result of the State government's actions was and continues to be absolutely catastrophic. Flint families were exposed to lead and other toxins that will have lasting effects for generations. The ultimate cost of this misguided, dangerous decision will not be known for decades, but we now have a chance to begin to make it right.

Last week, Senator Stabenow and I introduced an amendment that would, one, provide water infrastructure funding for Flint; two, create a Center of Excellence to address the long-term public health ramifications of lead exposure; three, forgive Flint's outstanding loans that were used for water infrastructure that has now been damaged by the State's actions; and four, require the EPA to directly notify consumers instead of going through State and local regulators if their drinking water is contaminated with lead.

We have spent the last week working with Senator Murkowski and Senator Cantwell to find common ground and a path forward to provide some relief to the people of Flint as we consider this bipartisan energy legislation. These discussions are ongoing. They are happening as we speak now. But now is not the time to use procedural roadblocks to justify inaction.

Throughout the United States history, when a natural or manmade disaster strikes, the Federal Government has stepped in to help those in need. Hurricanes, superstorms, earthquakes, flooding, and a fertilizer plant explosion--those types of activities or incidents all across the Nation have received Federal assistance as communities come together to rebuild.

While the cause of this crisis and the ultimate responsibility to fix it lies with the State Government, we need to bring resources from all levels of government to bear to address the unprecedented emergency that we face. This is why I urge my colleagues to work with us as we continue efforts to make a down payment on the years of rebuilding and healing that Flint needs.

I was in Flint earlier this week, and while volunteering with the Red Cross to deliver bottled water from house to house, I heard directly from impacted residents. Months after the public became aware of the depth of this crisis, families still have questions: Can I use my shower? When will the water be safe? Will the pipes ever get replaced?

My question for this body is very straightforward. Who will stand up for the children of Flint? These children have been impacted the most by this crisis and through no fault of their own. I know we all have priorities that we care about in this Energy bill, but I simply cannot agree to move forward on action on this bill until we deal with Flint and help Flint rebuild to provide safe, clean drinking water.

This should not be a Republican or a Democratic issue. Clean water is, quite simply, a basic human right. Let's together show the American people that when a crisis hits any city in this country, we will stand with them. America is a great country, and it is great because at times of difficulty, we all stand together as one people.

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