March 13, 2012

Congressman Bob Goodlatte introduced H.R. 4153, the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization and Improvement Act on March 7, 2012. ----------------------- Lynchburg, VA - Rep. Bob Goodlatte was in Lynchburg Monday touring CSO work and promoting legislation that would limit power to the EPA. Goodlatte says new storm water requirements--to filter rainwater that runs into the Chesapeake Bay --would cost the small City of Lynchburg between $120 to $140 million initially. Local governments, farmers and homebuilders that fail to comply with the EPA's new regulations could face stiff penalties. Goodlatte's proposing legislation that would let the states decide the best ways to comply with those standards instead of the federal government. He says that's what the law intended. "The EPA is acting at the federal level to threaten the states and localities and say if you don't do it our way we're going to bring punitive measures against states and localities. That's wrong, that's not what the law intended and that's what this legislation corrects," Goodlatte said after meeting with city officials. He says his proposal has bipartisan support and a good chance of passing the House. But he admits they still have a lot of work ahead to get there.