Wednesday the Energy and Environment Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed by voice vote HR 3258, which would require USEPA to establish drinking water system standards for security against terror attacks. Rules promulgated under the bill would apply to all drinking water systems serving more than 3,300 people. The measure appropriates $315 million in 2011 to finance drinking water system upgrades away from use of high risk volatile purification chemicals.
Subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey noted that the legislation has the backing of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. Republican members of the panel criticized the bill as "an environmental notion masquerading as national security." The measure requires drinking water systems to adopt what the USEPA will define as "inherently safer technology" for water purification.
Subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey noted that the legislation has the backing of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. Republican members of the panel criticized the bill as "an environmental notion masquerading as national security." The measure requires drinking water systems to adopt what the USEPA will define as "inherently safer technology" for water purification.
