CHARLESTON, W. Va. — Under pressure from a specific Charleston manufacturer, a state Senate committee has moved to delay updating human health criteria in water-quality rules.
Clean-water advocates hope for more support in the House.
It voted to delay implementation of new allowable levels for nearly 60 potentially toxic pollutants until 2021.
"There are legislators on both sides of the aisle who feel pressure from particular entities who are saying, ‘if we’re forced to comply with this right now, we might not be here next year,’” Ireland said.
“Certainly no legislator wants to hear that."
The Environmental Protection Agency issued regular updates for about 100 water pollutants almost four years ago, as required by the Clean Water Act.
The state Department of Environmental Protection folded 60 of the new allowable levels into its annual rules legislation, but the proposal has proven controversial.
Ireland said the threat of losing jobs carries a lot of weight with lawmakers.
Ireland said state employment records show jobs at the company already declining.
According to the DEP, about two-thirds of the rule updates would mean tighter pollution limits, while one-third would loosen permitted levels.