BILL REQ. #:  H-1318.1 

Read first time 01/29/2007.   Referred to Committee on Select Committee on Environmental Health.

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, STEPHEN JOHNSON:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, On March 29, 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency proposed a rule on the Control of Hazardous Air Pollutants from Mobile Sources, which regulates several hazardous air pollutants, including benzene; and
     WHEREAS, Benzene is one of several air pollutants emitted by motor vehicles and other mobile sources that contributes significantly to the nationwide risk from breathing outdoor air toxics; and
     WHEREAS, Benzene is an air toxic of particular concern because it is a known carcinogen; and
     WHEREAS, Benzene emission levels in Washington state are seven percent higher than the national average; and
     WHEREAS, A recent assessment conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency indicates that Washington has very high benzene levels, especially as compared to other areas of the country; and
     WHEREAS, The proposed March 29, 2006, Environmental Protection Agency rule would allow excessively high and geographically disproportionate exposures to benzene to continue in Washington state; and
     WHEREAS, The federal Clean Air Act preempts states and localities from taking any additional action to regulate benzene in gasoline, despite its known risk to our citizen's health;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States Congress reconsider the preemption of state authority under the Clean Air Act and instead delegate to the states the authority to regulate the effects of known carcinogens such as benzene.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington legislature requests that the United States Environmental Protection Agency equalize federal treatment of benzene across our country by promulgating rules with respect to benzene that do not put Washington citizens at a greater risk than other parts of our great nation, and that take into consideration the health and well-being of the citizens of Washington state and the health and well-being of our children and grandchildren.
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Stephen Johnson.