Liveblog - Senate EPW Subcommittee Hearing on TSCA Reform (Update 2x)

I thought I would liveblog a hearing today.  I will try to update a couple of times during the event with what is going on and what I think about it.

 

In advance of the hearing, here is the setup:

 

Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics, and Environmental Health hearing entitled, "Business Perspectives on Reforming U.S. Chemical Safety Laws."

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 10:00 AM EST

EPW Hearing Room - 406 Dirksen  

Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics, and Environmental Health, will convene a hearing with leaders of businesses that manufacture or use chemicals to examine their business perspectives on reforming U.S. chemical safety laws. Tuesday’s hearing will be the third in a series of oversight hearings leading up to the introduction of legislation to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Link to the hearing site -

HERE

 

Link to the webcast - HERE (click on "Live Hearing")

 

Update 1 -

 

Lautenberg Opening Statement - I haven't seen him since the announcement about his health.  He looks pretty good and gives a good statement.  Uncertainty is bad for businesses across the US.  He wants to work with the whole committee and his bill will include "hazard" and "risk".

 

Vitter Opening Statement - "The bill must be based on sound science."  He is glad that business is interested in reform.  He thinks any bill that looks like REACH will kill US innovation and the bill should not be based on the flawed model.  EPA must use  sound science not "politicized science" just trying to scare the public.  Wants to work together.

 

Update 2 - Bring on the Witnesses

Linda Fisher
Vice President, Safety Health and the Environment
DuPont

- - Current data gathering is cumbersome.  The U.S. needs a better model - Use data that already exists first, then ask for more if necessary.  Do not rely on animal testing.  She hopes that legislation isn't rigid and doesn't rely on presumptive bans.  It could also hurt innovation of new chemicals.  Bill should worry about "hazard and risk".  "The time has come to bring our statutes in line with the rest of the world".

She seems pretty guarded and is choosing her words carefully.  I think she is trying to walk a very fine line of support contingent on what they see later.

 Howard Williams
Vice President
Construction Specialties, Inc.

- - Broad acceptance of PBT standards and LEED standards have been great for the construction industry.  The models could be used in TSCA reform.  "Chemistry is involved in all building products" - not including the 2x4.  "Green Building Market is $10 Billion a year market."  Confidentiality is very important so as not to give trade secrets to competitors - there should be a 3rd party review system.  He also thinks that industry should pay for reviews not the government.   

This guy really strikes me as coming in pretty far to the left for a business  perspective.