Hearing of U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works-Nominations Hearing
Hearing of U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works-Nominations Hearing
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know that we all want to hear from our friends on the other side of the witness table, so I will be very brief, and will focus on our two most senior nominees.
There are very few agencies of our government that have more impact on the citizens of my state than the Environmental Protection Agency and the Corps of Engineers. I am confident that the attention that EPA and Corps employees lavish on Alaskans and Alaska projects has always been well-intentioned. However, while some might argue the point, I cannot say that I think their influence has always been beneficial.
From time to time, on issue after issue, I've noted that Alaska is "unique" -- and that because it is unique, it deserves special consideration. Like many western states, we have often struggled with environmental restrictions sought by, imposed by, and maintained by interests with very little knowledge of the conditions we live with.
We try to address serious issues with clarity and common sense. But all too often, government agencies try to apply one-size-fits-all solutions that simply don't work. Mr. Chairman, what I would LIKE to ask these gentlemen is for a pledge that they will instruct their staffs to avoid the easy answers and to tune their regulatory actions as carefully as the law will allow.
Despite the desperate urgency of some organizations fund-raising letters, the truth is that Americans have made huge strides toward a cleaner, healthier environment, and we've been able to do so without crippling our own economy.
And Mr. Chairman, I think it should be clear that if we are to continue to make strides toward a cleaner environment, maintaining a healthy economy must remain a number one concern.
With that, Mr. Chairman, I will yield and look forward to hearing from others. I do have a number of questions, but because I another commitment, I'd like to submit questions in writing, if there is no objection.
http://epw.senate.gov/hearing_statements.cfm?id=236093