For immediate release: October 18, 2012.
Clean Water Action Endorses Kuster On 40th Anniversary of Clean Water Act, Slams Bass’s Voting Record on Key Environmental Issues
CONCORD, N.H. – On the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, Congressional candidate Annie Kuster today accepted the endorsement of Clean Water Action.
The non-partisan organization, dedicated to protecting water and preventing health-threatening pollution, cited Kuster’s commitment to protecting the Clean Water Act and standing against those like Congressman Bass who have voted to undermine it.
“Annie Kuster is someone we know will fight 100% for drinkable, swimmable, fishable water in Congress,” said Communications Director for Clean Water Action Jonathan Scott, a Second District resident of more than two decades. “She understands the fundamental connection here in New Hampshire between clean water and the health of our families and economy. That’s the kind of leadership we need in Washington.”
In making the endorsement, Scott also highlighted Congressman Bass’s record of voting the wrong way on critical environmental issues. On Clean Water Action’s most recent scorecard of 2011-2012, covering a dozen important anti-environment votes in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Bass could only muster a failing 25% score.
Only one other Representative in New England scored lower than Congressman Bass, said Scott. “But at least that member makes no pretense of having any conservation credentials. Congressman Bass likes to tout his environmental record, but the fact is he has repeatedly voted for bills that would damage the environment. His record on these issues amounts to little more than a bucket of dirty water. Sprinkling in a few cleaner votes in an election year doesn’t fool anyone. You’ve still got a bucket of dirty water.”
“I am so grateful to have the support of Clean Water Action,” said Kuster. “New Hampshire is blessed with some of the most beautiful lakes and rivers in the country. Keeping our water clean is critical for the safety of our families and communities, the strength of our economy, and the health of our environment. In Congress, I will fight to protect the Clean Water Act from those who would try to undermine or weaken it.”
BACKGROUND
Congressman Bass Voted to Slash Funding for Environmental Protection, Water Quality. In 2011, Bass voted for a continuing resolution that contained $61 billion in draconian cuts, including “$3 billion in cuts to EPA spending and prohibitions on its use of funds to propose, finalize, or enforce many environmental regulations, with a particular emphasis on climate change programs and water quality measures. The resolution prohibits EPA from using fiscal year 2011 funds to regulate greenhouse gases, coal ash, coarse particulates, and water quality in Florida and the Chesapeake Bay. It also would check EPA’s authority to review clean water permits for surface mining issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The resolution also seeks deep cuts in certain Energy Department programs, including the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.” The measure passed, 235-189. [HR 1, Vote #147, 2/19/11; Water Environment Federation, accessed 10/17/12]
Congressman Bass Voted to Prevent the EPA From Regulating Greenhouse Gases. In 2011, Bass voted for a bill that would prevent the EPA from regulating stationary sources of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to address climate change. The bill would also specify that the term “air pollutant” does not include greenhouse gas. [HR 910, Vote #249, 4/07/11; CQ Today, 4/07/11]
Congressman Bass Voted Against Regulating Pollutants in Drinking-Water Sources. In 2011, Bass voted against a motion which continued the EPA’s authority to regulate pollutants in drinking-water sources. The motion stated that the legislation would not affect the EPA’s authority when it comes to regulating pollutants, including arsenic or perchlorate, into public drinking-water sources. The motion failed 188-238. [HR 2018, Vote #572, 7/13/11]
Congressman Bass Voted to Undermine the Clean Water Act. In 2011, Bass voted for a bill which undermined the Clean Water Act by removing the EPA’s ability to enforce it. The bill banned the EPA from issuing new or revising water-quality standards if a state standard had already been approved by the agency without the state’s consent. The EPA would also be banned from removing its approval of a state program or limiting federal funds to that program if it disagreed with the way the regulation was implemented, or if the EPA disagreed with the state’s water quality standard. The bill passed 239-184. [HR 2018, Vote #573, 7/13/11]
Congressman Bass Voted to Nullify Rules Limiting Mercury Pollution from Cement Plants. In 2011, Bass voted to nullify rules limiting mercury pollution from cement plants. The bill would nullify Environmental Protection Agency rules for cement plant emissions and require the development of new rules which would not go into effect until 2017. [Washington Post, 10/09/11; CQ Floor Votes, 10/06/11]. The bill passed 262-161. [HR 2681, Vote #764, 10/06/11]
Congressman Bass Voted to Nullify Rules Regulating Emissions for Commercial and Industrial Boilers. In 2011, Bass voted to nullify certain rules regulating emissions for commercial and industrial boilers. The bill would nullify the current rules for commercial and industrial boilers and require the Environmental Protection Agency to write new rules and finalize them within 15 months of the bill becoming law. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/13/11]. The bill passed 275-142. [HR 2250, Vote #791, 10/13/11]
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