Senators Uncouple Energy and Flint Measures

Yesterday, the Senate Natural Resources Committee announced that language in the Energy Modernization Act (S 2012) that provided aid for the Flint, MI lead in drinking water crisis has been dropped.  No reason other than the Chamber’s “give and take” on legislative issues was offered.  Michigan Senators Stabenow and Peters did not address how they’d plan to move forward on funding for Flint.

The Energy Bill has enjoyed strong bipartisan support and is cosponsored by the Committee’s Chair, Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and the Ranking Minority Member, Maria Cantwell (D-WA).  The measure, among other things, calls for improvements to the electric grid to enhance reliability and security and provides a permanent reauthorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.