Mike Simpson Questions EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on Rural Water Programs and IT Modernization

EPA Budget and Spending Priorities

• 🎯 Mike Simpson questioned EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin regarding potential deep cuts in the EPA's budget, noting that a 54% reduction might be too significant to implement.
• 💡 Simpson inquired how the EPA would handle discretionary appropriations above the president's budget request, to which Zeldin committed to following the law and spending appropriated funds efficiently.
• ✅ Zeldin emphasized a zero tolerance policy for wasting tax dollars and ensuring accountability for how funds are spent.

Rural Drinking Water Technical Assistance Program

• 💧 Simpson expressed strong support for the Rural Drinking Water Technical Assistance Program, highlighting its effectiveness for rural communities in ensuring safe water and accessing funding.
• 📌 The program's state-based providers are valued for understanding the unique challenges of local towns and service areas.
• 🚫 Simpson opposed past proposals to shift the program to a nationwide call center or move away from annual funding awards.
• 🤝 Zeldin committed to congressional direction regarding selecting qualified awardees and maintaining annual funding for the program.

EPA IT Systems and Backlogs

• 💻 A $17 million appropriation for the EPA to modernize IT systems used for processing chemical risk assessments under the TSCA program was discussed.
• ⚠️ The current IT system is described as unstable and outdated, prone to crashing, and the investment aims to improve stability and efficiency.
• 📈 Zeldin mentioned inheriting significant backlogs, including in state implementation plans, biofuels, and pesticide programs, and stated that a reorganization and IT funding will help address these issues.