WASHINGTON, D.C., MARCH 14, 2013 — Members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced legislation today to close two of the loopholes that exempt the oil and gas industry from environmental laws. The BREATHE Act, introduced by Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) would close a Clean Air Act loophole and the FRESHER Act, introduced by Rep. Matthew Cartwright (D-PA) would close a Clean Water Act loophole.
Specifically, the BREATHE Act would repeal a Clean Air Act exemption that allows the oil and gas industry to emit more than its fair share of toxic air pollution. It would also require the industry to control its poisonous emissions of hydrogen sulfide.
The FRESHER Act would eliminate a Clean Water Act exemption that allows oil and gas to sidestep the same stormwater runoff permitting requirements that other industries meet. MORE…