Silver Valley Bill Wants EPA Evicted

The House Environment, Energy & Technology Committee has voted to introduce Rep. Shannon McMillan’s non-binding memorial calling for the EPA to pull out of the Silver Valley and halt its Superfund cleanup there within five years, with two “no” votes, one abstention and some concerns about whether the state can do what the resolution says. In addition to sending a message to Congress and the EPA, the memorial declares that the Idaho Legislature “vehemently opposes and rejects the ROD (Record of Decision) amendment proposed by the EPA, and hereby demands that our local, state and federal elected officials do all in their power in order to ensure that the EPA … end its presence in Shoshone County and rescind the Superfund designation within the next five years”/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise. More here.

• House Transportation chair wants capitol park meters shut down
• Hearing put off on Hart’s “Idaho Farm Freedom Act’
• Barbieri raw milk bill dumped
• McMillan brings back bill to boot EPA cleanup out of Silver Valley
• Disabled patients suing after Idaho H&W refuses to explain benefit cuts

Question: Is there value in passing a nonbinding resolution, other than it makes its author and maybe other legislators feel as thought they’re taking a stand on something?