Fischer to Chair EPW Field Hearing in Columbus, NE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) will chair a field hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee in Columbus on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. CST / 11:00 a.m. EST. The hearing will focus on the impact of the EPA’s proposed rule to lower the ozone standard. This is the most expensive EPA regulation, ever.

The hearing will feature testimony from Nebraska stakeholders, including representatives from the manufacturing industry, public power utilities, and small-business community.

Tuesday’s hearing follows the November 2014 proposal by the EPA to reduce the allowable concentration of ground-level ozone from 75 parts per billion (ppb), set in 2008, to between 65 and 70 ppb. This rule would require industrial facilities across the country, including many in Nebraska, to install expensive ozone control equipment, limit production, or buy “offsets.” Any one of these requirements could stifle economic growth and harm Nebraska families.

This will be the second field hearing hosted by Senator Fischer in Nebraska. In March, she hosted a similar hearing of the EPW Committee in Lincoln where Nebraskans testified about the impact of the EPA’s “waters of the United States” rule.

In addition to the hearing, members of the media are invited to a post-hearing media availability where Senator Fischer will be on hand to answer questions. 

EVENT: 

U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing entitled:

“Impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Ozone Standard on Manufacturing and Utilities”
DATE:

TOMORROW – Tuesday, September 1, 2015

10:00 a.m. CST / 11:00 a.m. EST

LOCATION:

Central Community College
Fine Arts Center Theater
4500 63^rd Street

Columbus, NE 68601

WITNESSES:

Russ Baker
Environmental and Regulatory Affairs Division Manager
Omaha Public Power District
On Behalf of the Nebraska Power Association

John Kinter
Environmental Manager
Nucor Steel Nebraska

Mark Zimmerer
President
Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce

David Corbin
Emeritus Professor, Health Education and Public Health
University of Nebraska-Omaha

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Arrive at campus on 48^th Street
Use West Entrance and West Parking Lot

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer