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Inhofe calls for hearings on EPA paint rule

By Jeremy P. Jacobs, E&E reporter

June 1, 2011

Link to Article

Link to Letter 

The top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is calling for oversight hearings on U.S. EPA's implementation of its lead-based paint renovation rule.

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and seven other Republican senators sent a letter Friday urging Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) to convene a hearing on the agency's Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) regulation.

"We agree that it is vitally important to protect children and pregnant women from exposure to lead-based paint," the letter said. "Unfortunately the implementation has been inconsistent and confusing."

The LRRP rule was finalized in April of last year and requires contractors to obtain certification in lead-safe work practices before renovating properties built before 1978, when lead was banned from use in residences (Greenwire, April 23, 2010).

Lead poses health risks to the central nervous system, particularly in children. Despite the government ban, it is still present in millions of homes built before 1978.

Inhofe also took aim at proposed amendments to the rule that EPA sent to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) this April. One of the proposed measures would require "clearance testing" following renovations to ensure lead is not present in homes.

"EPA is also proposing substantial changes to the rule and it is important that we understand these changes and their effects," the Oklahoman wrote.

Inhofe noted that the flooding on the Mississippi River and April tornadoes provide another reason for closely examining the LRRP rule. "There will be thousands of homes requiring extensive renovation and it is vital that we understand how these EPA rules will affect families and communities trying to rebuild," Inhofe wrote.

The letter also was signed by Republican Sens. David Vitter of Louisiana, Mike Crapo of Idaho, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Mike Johanns of Nebraska, John Boozman of Arkansas, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Jeff Sessions of Alabama.

Inhofe has been a frequent critic of EPA's implementation of the lead rule. In late April, he sent a letter to the White House urging it to reconsider how the agency planned to put the amendments into action (Greenwire, April 28). The Republican also called for hearings last month, arguing that EPA lacked sufficient evidence for the amendments and that they would be costly for contractors (Greenwire, April 19).

Last year, Republican criticism of the implementation of the EPA rule led to a Senate vote on legislation that would have temporarily blocked EPA from using funds to fine noncompliant contractors. That measure passed the upper chamber with 60 votes but stalled in the House.

Click here to read the letter.

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