E-Newsletter

Remembering 9/11

Over the weekend, the United States marked the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  Like many of you, I distinctly remember where I was when the first plane hit. I was in my office and my assistant, who was watching the television, called me into her office. We wondered how a plane could have been so far off course as to hit a building. When we saw the second plane approach, we knew the United States of America was under attack and that our country would never be the same.

Nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost that day in these horrific attacks. We remember and honor these victims. My prayers are with the families of those who lost loved ones in the attacks and whose lives were forever changed. As we reflect on 9/11, we also pay tribute to the many firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency responders, and bystanders who were willing to put their lives at risk to help others.

In Big Stone Gap at the Grateful Service on 9/11, I told those present that I was moved when I heard on the Today Show about Kevin, who lost his father – a firefighter – at the World Trade Center, and had this poem tattooed on his arm in memory of his dad:

If tears could build a stairway,

and memories a lane,

I’d walk right up to heaven

and bring you home again.

Throughout the 9th District, brave men and women continue to work every day to keep our communities safe. I am thankful for their service. We must especially remember our troops who are fighting to protect our freedom. May God bless our service members and continue to bless the United States of America.

EPA Regulatory Relief Act Update

Real jobs are on the line. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) pending Boiler MACT and Cement MACT rules are threatening thousands of jobs nationwide, including some in the 9th District. Thus far, we have had seven businesses and other entities testify at various hearings that these pending rules would negatively impact them.  Four of these – MeadWestvaco, Celanese, Titan America (parent company of Roanoke Cement), and RockTenn – employ people in the 9th District.  Other facilities in and around the 9th District would also be affected.

Last week, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on my bill, the EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 (H.R. 2250), which deals with the Boiler MACT rules. During the hearing, Todd Elliott of the Celanese Corporation testified that the Boiler MACT rules, as written, could force Celanese to significantly scale back or change operations in Giles County where they employ 550 skilled workers.

The pending Boiler MACT rules would provide three years to comply with new regulations.  More time is needed and as requested by many businesses, including Celanese, the EPA Regulatory Relief Act extends that compliance time to at least five years.

In Committee, I said: “So when folks say to me, why do you get worked up on this and why do you charge in on some of these things, all I can say is that a lot of these folks didn’t actually come from the 9th District of Virginia, but they represent jobs in the 9th District of Virginia. They represent people who work there and people who are in the areas where we have double digit unemployment. I came off this break doing the Labor Day parade in Covington, which is sponsored by the Union there. Last year they had the parade route lined with signs about fixing boiler MACT. Amongst all the political signs were, we’ve got to fix Boiler MACT.  So, I am trying to do what my constituents want, and what I think my constituents need, in order to create jobs not only in the Unites States of America, but particularly in the 9th District of Virginia.  I think that is what the Boiler MACT bill does. I understand. All of us want to be careful on the health side of it. But when you face extensive unemployment in the regions that I just mentioned and already have had announced lost jobs from other rules of the EPA in Giles County in particular and in Russell County, within the 9th District of Virginia, within the last two or three months, these are serious matters.”

In the coming week, the EPA Regulatory Relief is scheduled to be “marked-up” (voted on) in the Subcommittee on Energy and Power as it moves through the legislative process.  I will keep you updated on its progress.

President Obama’s Jobs Speech

Washington’s priority should be jumpstarting the economy and creating American jobs. Last week, President Obama addressed a Joint Session of Congress and the entire nation regarding his jobs plan. I attended the address because it is my responsibility to listen when the President requests an audience with Congress.  I had hoped that President Obama’s plan would be centered around rolling back costly job-killing regulations, which would promote business expansion and investment, while exercising fiscal discipline. In his speech, he made it abundantly clear that he wants Congress to pass his plan now. In last week’s column, I wrote that it would be best if Congress had the opportunity to mix and match ideas and vote on various proposals. Regrettably, it appears that the President wants only his plan. For either the President or Congress to take an all or nothing position is not in the best interest of the people of the United States.

The President also announced that he will release a broader plan to deal with budget deficit in the next week. I look forward to reviewing this deficit plan with an open mind to assess which ideas make sense for the 9th District.

As always, if you have concerns or comments or wish to inquire about legislative issues, feel free to contact my offices. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.