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For Immediate Release
June 15, 2006 |
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Shays Amendments Pass Financial
Services Committee
Washington, D.C. – The Financial Services Committee
approved three amendments by Congressman Christopher Shays
(R-CT) yesterday that improve housing for victims of domestic
violence and encourage environmental protection and renewable
energy at the Export-Import Bank.
Protection of Domestic Violence Victims
Shays successfully offered an amendment to H.R. 5443, the
Section 8 Voucher Reform Act, which authorizes Section 8 funds
to be used to provide emergency vouchers to victims of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking. Shays
is one of four members to offer H.R. 5443, which cleared the
Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity
last week.
“A victim of domestic abuse may need to ask a public
housing authority manager to help her find a new, safe place
to live. How does she react when they tell her they’ll
move her from Apartment 102 to Apartment 301 in the same building,”
Shays questioned. “This amendment is a common-sense
approach that allows housing authorities to give victims of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking
an emergency Section 8 voucher, so she can move to a safer
location.”
"We deeply appreciate the work of Congressman Shays,
the House Financial Services Committee, and the National Association
of Housing and Redevelopment Officials to provide new housing
resources for victims of domestic and sexual violence and
stalking," said Allison Randall, Public Policy Director
of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. "Section
8 vouchers are among the most effective and urgently needed
tools to help victims escape abusive relationships."
Environmental Protection and Renewable Energy Promotion at
Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank
The Financial Services Committee also included Shays’
two amendments in the manager's amendment to H.R. 5068, the
Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act.
The first amendment addresses how the Ex-Im Bank screens
the environmental impacts of the projects it finances. Currently
the bank uses a monetary standard – when financing is
over $10 million – as a threshold of whether or not
the project should require environmental screening. Shays’
amendment asks the Inspector General of the Ex-Im Bank to
report to the Committees of jurisdiction on whether this $10
million threshold effectively identifies those projects that
may have significant detrimental impact on the environment.
It also asks the IG to suggest guidelines for how applications
may be more effectively screened to determine whether any
detrimental environmental impact may occur.
“Using a dollar amount to set the standard for environmental
screening creates the possibility of overlooking lower-cost
projects that may have substantial environmental risks or
impacts,” Shays said. “Project costs and scope
can also be manipulated to run just under the threshold in
order to avoid environmental screening. Their approach could
exclude projects like chemical plants or other manufacturing
that might deal with environmentally hazardous materials,
and power lines or other infrastructure that might connect
to larger, high impact projects.”
The second amendment would create an Office of Renewable
Energy Promotion at the Export-Import Bank. The function of
this office would be to proactively identify new opportunities
for renewable energy financing, which is consistent with the
Bank’s authorities under current law, and to annually
report to Congress, detailing its activities and comparing
the yearly level of credit extended by the Bank for renewable
energy projects.
“By aggressively increasing its support of renewable
energy, including solar, wind, biomass, fuel cell, geothermal,
and small hydropower projects, the Export-Import Bank has
the opportunity to benefit U.S. companies, creating jobs,
meeting the energy needs of developing countries, and combating
global warming,” Shays explained. “Unlike fossil
fuels, renewable energy can substantially reduce many environmental
problems we face today. Renewables produce fewer greenhouse
gases that lead to global warming, less air pollution, and
lower levels of water and soil contamination than fossil fuels.”
“Renewable energy can protect our environment while
creating new opportunities for American businesses and new
jobs for American workers. The Export-Import Bank must now
do more to promote clean energy thanks to Congressman Shays,”
said Sara Zdeb, Legislative Director of Friends of the Earth.
Both amendments were included in the manager’s amendment.
The bill passed full Committee by voice vote.
Contact: Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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