U.S. Congressman David Scott : 13th District Of Georgia

Flooding in the Atlanta area affected several counties after continuous rain fell faster than watersheds could drain the runoff. Ten fatalities were caused by the flooding, and damages to homes and businesses totaled at least $500 million. The flooding has caused massive destruction and has affected thousands of people, the more severe being from the 13th Congressional district.

President Obama approved a Federal disaster declaration for Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and Walker Counties. This status allows these areas to be eligible for federal assistance. Individuals whose property was affected by the floodwater may apply for up to $30,300 in federal rebuilding assistance through the Individual and Households Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To apply for federal assistance, please contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit www.fema.gov.

Many residents in affected areas did not have flood insurance for their homes, and were not aware of previous flooding in the area, even when it occurred as recently as 2005. After roughly 100 homes were damaged following a flood in 2005, the Corps was asked to reassess the flood plains in affected areas in Georgia. However, no changes were made to the existing floodplain maps, leaving residents unaware of the risk posed to their homes and businesses due to the use of dated information. Many Georgians were thus left vulnerable to the damage of the recent flooding in the metropolitan Atlanta area, since they were not fully informed of the threat of flood damage.

To address this situation, the Georgia Congressional delegation has sent a letter to FEMA requesting that they update the floodplain maps to accurately reflect flood risk in north Georgia. Updated and correct information is essential to properly informing the public about where they currently own, or could potentially purchase, property in the future. I am hopeful that I will receive a prompt and encouraging response to the delegation’s request from FEMA.

As many Georgians already know, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson issued a decision in July 2009 affecting the litigation between Georgia, Alabama, and Florida on the issue of drinking water. The ruling expressed that water supply is not an authorized purpose of Lake Lanier, and that any operational change to the use of Lake Lanier requires Congressional approval. Judge Magnuson concluded that all increases in water supply use since the mid-1970s exceeded legal authority and requires Congressional action. In the 1970s, metro Atlanta used about 230 million gallons per day (mgd), and currently the region uses about 316 mgd.

As a result of this ruling, metro Atlanta water use is restricted to current water supply levels for three years, and within that time Congressional authorization must be reached. If three years pass without Congressional authorization, the operation of Buford Dam will return to the “baseline” operation of the mid-1970s for Atlanta and surrounding communities. This level would not meet existing water needs or water quality needs for Metro Atlanta and the river, and does not account for the rapid growth in the region.

After an appeal of the July 2009 ruling, Judge Magnuson once again ruled against Georgia claiming that an appeal would “only delay and further complicate the resolution of the important claims at issue.” In response to this ruling, Georgia has appealed again, and this decision currently lies in the hands of the 11th Circuit Court. Alabama and Florida have filed motions to appeal as well.

I am deeply concerned about the implications these and future rulings will have on Georgia’s access to drinking water. Therefore, I am working with my colleagues in Congress to form an amicable solution to this crisis. Any solution must meet the needs of metro Atlanta, while sustaining economic growth, and preserving downstream river access.

A number of factors combine to exert pressure on gasoline prices in all parts of the country. Major factors in the run-up of crude oil prices include the sharply increased consumption of imported oil by China, the continuing possibility of a supply disruption from either violence or terrorism in the Middle East, or from natural disasters like hurricanes. Production and marketing factors also affect gasoline prices and stem from a lack of refining capacity in the United States, the range of fuel blends required to meet air pollution regulations and the continuous increase in demand needed for economic growth.

With oil and natural gas prices rising, energy conservation and investments in renewable energy technology are vital to the taxpayer's wallet, the environment and our national security. In the 111th Congress, Congress has been working tirelessly to help relieve Americans of the burden of high energy prices, while achieving greater energy security. In January 2009, the House passed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This comprehensive legislation includes important provisions to revitalize our country’s energy portfolio, and help create an estimated 500,000 jobs. The bill will also accelerate deployment of smart grid technology, provide energy efficiency funds for the nation’s schools, and offer support for the nation’s governors and mayors to meet their specific energy needs. President Obama signed H.R. 1 into law on February 17, 2009.
Additionally, the House passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, in June 2009. This legislation requires electric utilities to get 20% of their electricity through renewable energy sources and energy efficiency by 2020. Qualifying renewable include solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. Efficiency measures compose 5% of energy savings, but states may petition for a 12% renewable and 8% efficiency standard.

The Southeast faces unique challenges in energy generation. An ever-growing population has forced us to rely too heavily upon coal-generated electricity, a source that continues to increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and causes pollution in the air we breathe. While utilities are slowly switching to natural gas and nuclear power, we must explore creative solutions to address our rapidly increasing electricity demands that fit the characteristics of our region.
I lent my support to a letter to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education supporting $5.1 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in FY 10. LIHEAP helps low-income families and seniors remain healthy and secure during extreme temperatures. In Georgia, we are all too familiar with the intense and, at times, deadly heat during the summer months. Therefore, adequate funding for LIHEAP is crucial in FY 10.
Since H.R. 2454 mandates a national Renewable Electricity Standard, Georgia will have to alter its energy portfolio to either meet this new demand, or pay for credits instead of production from renewables. I will continue to support further investment in renewables in our region, including the expanded use of biomass. This legislation is currently awaiting consideration by the U.S. Senate.

The tremendous population growth and economic activity in Georgia has made our state an engine for regional and national economic prosperity. However, this has come at a cost to the local and state environment, affecting the air, water and overall quality of life in Georgia. As your representative in Congress, I support responsible stewardship and management of our environment and natural resources for the sustainability of Georgia’s economic growth, and most importantly, our children. The federal government must support states' efforts to meet the goals outlined in the Clean Air Act. I am diligently following energy and conservation issues at the federal level to ensure sustainable environmental and economic policy for the metropolitan Atlanta area businesses, commerce and residents.
Also, H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, will take steps to reduce emissions. This measure proposes a cap-and-trade approach by capping greenhouse gas emissions at 17% by 2020, and over 80% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. This measure is currently awaiting consideration by the U.S. Senate.

With the passage of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act in the 1970’s, Congress took the first step in protecting our nation’s waters. Over the last 30 years, many revisions and updates to this legislation have ensured on-going protection. Federal and state environmental agencies have been involved in improving the Combined Sewer Overflow system in the City of Atlanta for several years. Their plan includes rerouting old flow routes, constructing new storage areas for the combined sewer flow, closing older facilities and adding additional improved facilities for secondary-treatment for discharge into local rivers. As these projects approach completion, Atlanta will still need assistance to maintain these facilities and mitigate future problems as they arise. As such, I was pleased to co-sign a letter with my House colleagues addressed to the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and the Environment supporting the funding of $2.4 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in FY 10.

Throughout my time as your representative, I have been a very strong supporter of protecting wildlife and critical habitat. As we consider funding for FY 10, once again I have signed a number of letters concerning increases for federal land and wildlife conservation programs.

I have signed several letters of support for various environmental programs including: