TSCA Chemical Reform Hearing in the US Senate Thursday February 3

TSCA reform may be dormant, but apparently not completely dead.  Since there appears to be little chance of the Republican-led House to initiate action this term, the Senate has decided to try to jump start the process again.  With this in mind, the Senate Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health will hold a hearing entitled "Assessing the Effectiveness of US Chemical Safety Laws" this Thursday, February 3, 2011. 

The subcommittee is part of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works chaired by Barbara Boxer.  Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey chairs the subcommittee, and as you probably remember he has been the one to introduce the various "Kid Safe" bills in recent years, including last year's Safe Chemicals Act.  Joining Lautenberg is ranking member James Inhofe, who while historically not prone to supporting environmental legislation, has indicated he is committed to work with Lautenberg to come up with a TSCA reform bill that protects human health and the environment while also not unduly inhibiting industry growth.

Witnesses at the hearing, some of whom have become familiar faces at these events, are expected to be:

Panel 1

The Honorable Steve Owens Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances Environmental Protection Agency

Panel 2

Ms. Kelly M. Semrau Senior Vice President for Global Corporate Affairs, Communication, and Sustainability, SC Johnson

Mr. Steve Goldberg Vice President and Associate General Counsel BASF

Ms. Frances Beinecke President Natural Resources Defense Council

Mr. Cal Dooley President American Chemistry Council

Dean Lynn Goldman, MD, MPH Dean George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services

The Subcommittee hearing page will include copies of testimony once given. It will begin at 10:00 am EST in the EPW Hearing Room 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington DC.  As of this writing no indication of whether the hearing will be simulcast or not, but generally this is the case.