Senator Collins released the following statement in reaction to the proposal:
"I continue to stand behind my belief that federal agencies, including the military, must be subject to the same environmental laws as any nongovernmental entity except when national security is at risk.
"It concerns me that communities in Maine and across the nation that neighbor defense installations could be put at risk if the military is not required to answer to environmental laws. "The three exemptions the Defense Department is seeking are essentially the same as what was proposed last year. I opposed the waivers then and blocked their inclusion in the defense authorization bill. I will continue to oppose any proposal that would exempt the military and any nongovernmental entity from their responsibility to safeguard against dangers to human health and the environment."