January 15, 2002
The Honorable Paul E. Gillmor Dear Mr. Chairman: On August 1, 2001, the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials held a legislative hearing on H.R. 1213 and H.R. 1927 concerning interstate and international municipal solid waste shipments. These bills seek to address the serious problems plaguing many states and communities of unwanted imports of out-of-state municipal solid waste. As you know, the Governors of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and the Western Governors Association have communicated their strong support for H.R. 1213, the "Solid Waste Interstate Transportation Act of 2001." Seven years ago our Committee and the House of Representatives, on a broadly bipartisan basis, passed by a vote of 368 to 55 interstate waste legislation that was the predecessor to H.R. 1213. Unfortunately, a single Senator blocked passage of the legislation in the waning hours of the 103rd Congress. Since it was first crafted in 1994, I have supported this bipartisan legislative approach to give states and localities the authority to control unwanted imports of municipal solid waste. Action by Congress is long overdue. For at least a decade, states across the Nation have searched in vain for a constitutional means to restrict shipments of waste from other states and countries; costly and unproductive litigation has been the result. When Congress reconvenes in February, I request that the Subcommittee schedule a markup of H.R. 1213 at the earliest possible time. H.R. 1927, sponsored by Representative Rogers, deals solely with waste imports from foreign countries and would provide authority for a state to ban such imports. In the year 2000, 45% of Michigan imports were from Canada, and Canadian imports are expected to grow since Toronto appears intent on sending all of its trash to Michigan. Therefore, if the Subcommittee determines that H.R. 1927 is consistent with the national treatment requirements of the North American Free Trade Agreement, it could consider adding the authority provided by H.R. 1927 to the text of H.R. 1213 with respect to foreign imports. I look forward to working with you in the second session of this Congress to rapidly mark up and report interstate waste legislation that meets the needs of our local communities and states. Sincerely,
cc: The Honorable W. J. "Billy" Tauzin, Chairman The Honorable Frank Pallone, Jr., Ranking Member
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