Sept. 11, 1996: Congressional Record publishes “THE EPA CLUSTER RULE”

Volume 142, No. 124 covering the 2nd Session of the 104th Congress (1995 - 1996) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“THE EPA CLUSTER RULE” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1564 on Sept. 11, 1996.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

THE EPA CLUSTER RULE

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HON. ALAN B. MOLLOHAN

of west virginia

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, September 11, 1996

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleagues in support of the direction taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the Cluster Rule for the pulp and paper industry. On behalf of my constituents who are employed by the paper and forest products industry--one of West Virginia's five major economic sectors--I urge the EPA to promptly finalize a Cluster Rule.

I am very pleased that on July 15, 1996, the EPA published in the Federal Register information on two technology options for final guidelines for bleached papergrade kraft and soda mills based on best available technology under the Cluster Rule. In this notice, the EPA stated that complete substitution of chlorine dioxide, identified as Option A in the proposal, should be given the same consideration as oxygen delignification coupled with complete substitution of chlorine dioxide, identified as Option B. In fact, the EPA stated in this proposal that ``both options appear to reduce dioxins and furans in wastewaters to concentrations at or below the current analytical minimum levels.''

In the first district of West Virginia, about 900 people are employed at the Luke Pulp and Paper Mill. Luke, which meets the requirements of Option A, is one of the Nation's largest paper mills. I understand that Option B would cost this mill, which in the past 5 years has spent over

$45 million on environmental protection improvements, an additional

$100 million.

I compliment and thank the Agency for the direction they have taken to provide for the fullest possible protection of the environment while at the same time ensuring that the final rule will not place on unreasonable cost burden on the pulp and paper industry. This approach demonstrates regulatory flexibility at its best.

I rise to join my colleagues in an endorsement of Option A.

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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 142, No. 124