WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to repeal the Waters of the United States rule, otherwise known as WOTUS.
“Administrator Pruitt and the EPA’s decision to roll back this flawed rule is the right move, and one that will protect so many jobs in West Virginia and throughout the country.” Senator Capito said. “The harmful WOTUS rule places unfair burdens on our farmers, small businesses and energy producers. Not only would this rule lead to skyrocketing energy prices, but it hinders job growth in West Virginia.”
Last year, Senator Capito chaired a Senate EPW Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee field hearing in southern West Virginia to examine the local impacts of the Obama administration’s anti-coal regulations, including the WOTUS rule.
In April 2015, Senator Capito helped introduce the Federal Water Quality Protection Act as an alternative to WOTUS. The bill, which passed out of committee the following month, would protect traditional navigable water from pollution to promote economic opportunity for farmers, energy producers, small businesses and manufacturers.
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