Dec. 17, 2009: Congressional Record publishes “WALTONVILLE COAL GASIFICATION PLANT”

Volume 155, No. 192 covering the 1st Session of the 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) 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.

“WALTONVILLE COAL GASIFICATION PLANT” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E3028-E3029 on Dec. 17, 2009.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

WALTONVILLE COAL GASIFICATION PLANT

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HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

of illinois

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition to the encroachment of federal authority into matters of the state and the continued appeasement of environmental special interests over the well-

being of the American people.

Several weeks ago, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency permitted the construction of a new coal gasification plant near Waltonville, IL. An appeal was filed to prevent construction with the U.S. EPA based on their ``finding that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases represent a significant threat to public health and welfare.''

Burdensome regulations levied on unsubstantiated science will destroy jobs. Coal gasification, the production of coal gas to convert into liquid gasoline, is a real solution to rising energy prices and it creates jobs here in the United States.

Taking drastic precautionary steps like those suggested by the EPA will have profound consequences on workers in Southern Illinois and all people throughout the country. Government action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is not without a heavy cost. It is irresponsible for a group of unelected bureaucrats at the EPA to make significant policy decisions that will restrain and prevent job creation based on unproven science. The EPA's response to their endangerment findings will more certainly endanger the economic well-being of Americans than fulfill the Obama Administration's promise of reducing carbon emissions or lowering global temperature.

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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 192