Chemical storage facilities that could pose a threat to drinking water supplies would be subject to more intensive inspection regimes under new Senate legislation expected to be introduced this week.
According to an announcement from Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and West Virginias two senators, the Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Protection Act will require regular state inspections of chemical storage facilities that could threaten drinking water sources and will include provisions to give water utilities the tools and information to respond to emergencies.
A fact sheet on the planned bill said some of the new reforms would be based on source water protection plans developed under the Safe Drinking Water Act but made no mention of any plans to propose new regulations for drinking water systems. No draft legislative text was made available, however, leaving many details of the proposal uncertain.
The introduction of this bill will mark the beginning of congressional reaction to the West Virginia spill, as the EPW Committee plans to hold two hearings on the incident in February. Democrats in the House of Representatives have called for hearings as well, but none have yet been scheduled in that chamber.
This Week In Congress
All eyes will be on the Capitol tomorrow evening when President Obama delivers his annual State of the Union Address and outlines his 2014 priorities to Congress.
Also this week, the Senate is expected to consider flood insurance reform legislation, while the House will vote on a bill to restrict federal funding for abortion services.