The federal meth remediation bill we wrote about earlier in the week passed in the House in a nearly unanimous vote, according to the Worthington Globe:
WORTHINGTON — A bill that charges the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the development of health-based guidelines to assist state and local authorities in cleaning up former meth lab sites — and co-sponsored by Minnesota 1st District Rep. Tim Walz — was passed Wednesday in the House of Representatives by a lopsided margin.
By a vote of 426-2, the House approved the Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007. Walz delivered a statement in support of the bill on the House floor, saying the legislation is a necessary step toward improving the meth lab remediation process nationwide.
“Meth production, which often occurs in residential homes, leaves behind dangerous, toxic waste,” Walz said. “According to the Minnesota Department of Health, meth production leaves behind five to seven pounds of chemical waste for every pound of meth produced.” . . .
Walz see the federal measure as a tool to help state and local efforts to fight meth:
“In 2005, the Drug Enforcement Administration discovered 88 labs in Minnesota, each of which presented a risk,” Walz said. “Although Minnesota has strong local and state guidelines for dealing with meth lab remediation, the federal government can still play an important role in making the remediation process easier for local communities.”
According to a 2006 National Drug Threat Survey of state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation, meth was named most often as the greatest drug threat in communities.
“This is just one of many steps needed to safeguard our communities against this terrible drug,” Walz stated.
Even Kline and Bachmann voted for this one. Walz was a co-sponsor.
Update: The Albert Lea Tribune looks at local implications for the bill.
Comments