NE Washington News

Congressman Morgan Griffith, Chair of the Subcommittee on Environment, addressed the House Energy and Commerce Committee at a hearing titled "A Decade Later: Assessing the Legacy and Impact of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act." This session marks his first as Chair and aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Lautenberg Act.

In his opening remarks, Griffith expressed his desire to collaborate with Ranking Member Tonko on bipartisan legislation. He emphasized that Americans are concerned about rising prices and regulatory burdens affecting energy reliability and economic growth. Griffith's objective is to modernize environmental laws for more predictable regulations.

The hearing focuses on reviewing the Lautenberg Act, which amended the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The TSCA regulates new and existing chemicals through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since its passage in 2016, both Democrat and Republican administrations have faced challenges implementing its procedures.

Griffith highlighted a Government Accountability Office report from 2023, revealing that between 2017 and 2022, only 10 percent of pre-manufacture chemical reviews were completed within time limits set by the Act. The hearing seeks to explore what's working at EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.

"New chemicals...are necessary for addressing crucial challenges like harnessing energy resources," Griffith stated. He warned that delays in EPA reviews could lead to production moving overseas, giving international competitors an advantage.

Experts testifying include Chris John from the American Chemistry Council, Jeff Moody from American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, Dr. Richard Engler from ACTA Group, and Dr. Maria Doa from Environmental Defense Fund. Each will provide insights into regulatory mechanisms under TSCA.