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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

PA Group Applauds Senate Committee Action to Restore Protections for Drinking Water and Wetlands

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Monday, June 22, 2009   

Pittsburgh, PA – The struggle in Washington for better protection of water supplies in Pennsylvania and across the country isn't over yet, but environmentalists here say a key battle has been won. The Clean Water Restoration Act will be considered by the full Senate, now that its Environment and Public Works Committee has voted to move the measure to the Senate floor. Myron Arnowitt, executive director of Pennsylvania Clean Water Action, is hopeful that Congress sees the light when it comes to restoring protections for drinking water and wetlands laid out nearly 40 years ago in the original Clean Water Act.

"There are a lot of Pennsylvanians who have their favorite little creek to go to, a favorite fishing spot. They want to be assured that that protection's going to be there for them and for their kids and for their grand-kids."

The Committee vote was 12-7. Senator Arlen Specter was among the 'yes' votes, but the legislation has its opponents; businesses mostly, who say the permits needed to comply with it cost a lot of money, eat into profits and curb job creation.

Arnowitt says the argument that the Clean Water Act is costly for business doesn't take into consideration the potential expense of letting water supplies get polluted.

"We're either going to be paying for that because we have to have drinking water treatment plants, or we're going to pay for it by having worse health, and we're all concerned about the increasing costs of health care."

Arnowitt says the new administration in Washington has breathed new life into the movement for cleaner water.

"We see EPA encouraging Congress to move forward with the Clean Water Restoration Act, and now the Senate is following up on that and really moving ahead."

Clean Water Action says confusing court cases and government actions during the Bush administration compromised the protections offered under the original Clean Water Act.






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