With Lautenberg Gone, Chem Safety Advocates Look for New Champion

"Advocates of chemical safety -- along with activists who have worked a score of other issues -- say they've lost a lion-hearted champion with the death yesterday of Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)."



"And whether anybody can fill those shoes on the long-stalled effort to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act remains to be seen.

Lautenberg had reached a major breakthrough last month with the announcement that he had partnered with Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) to draft a bipartisan bill to overhaul TSCA, the first major reform to that bill since its passage in 1976. The support of the industry-friendly Vitter, along with 18 other bipartisan co-sponsors, seemed to clear a potential path for some sort of reform, even one that public health advocates deemed a step down from his previous bills."

Jason Plautz reports for Environment & Energy Daily June 4, 2013.

SEE ALSO:

"All Eyes on Christie, Who Faces Multiple Dilemmas Over Lautenberg Succession" (Environment & Energy Daily)

"Lautenberg Left a Lasting Mark on Public Health" (Washington Post)

"Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey Senator in His 5th Term, Dies at 89" (New York Times)

"Lautenberg's Death Sets Off New Jersey Senate Scramble" (NPR)

"Lautenberg’s Death Adds To Democrats’ Legislative Troubles" (Boston Globe)

"Obama, Politicians Pay Tribute To Lautenberg" (USA TODAY)

"Senate Champion For Environment, Chemical Safety Dies" (Chemical & Engineering News)

"Death of Senator Places Christie in Difficult Spot" (New York Times)

"Lautenberg Dies After 3 Decades in Office; His TSCA Reform Push Was Gaining Momentum" (Greenwire)

"Death of Senator Places Christie in Difficult Spot" (Washington Post)

"Lautenberg Leaves Tricky Political Question For Christie" (CNN)

"Lautenberg Leaves Legacy on Chemical Reform" (Mother Jones)

"Lautenberg Leaves Lasting Legacy, Hope For Toxic Chemical Reform" (Huffington Post)

Source: E&E Daily, 06/04/2013