Administration Withholds Toxic Cleanup Information

[Stone_Spirits]

U.S. PIRG
http://commondreams.org/news2003/0717-09.htm

Bush Administration Withholds Toxic Cleanup Information

  WASHINGTON - July 17- Nine months into the fiscal year, the Bush Administration has finally provided limited information on a few of the Superfund sites that will receive cleanup funds in FY 2003. No funding information was provided for sites around the country with ongoing cleanup work.

"The Bush Administration is stonewalling the public about funding levels for site cleanups this year.
The meager information they have provided shows that only 50% of new cleanups will get funding," said Julie Wolk, an Environmental Health Advocate for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. "The Bush Administration is on its way to its worst year ever in toxic waste cleanup, hiding information from the public, and leaving millions of Americans exposed to dangerous toxic chemicals," said Wolk.

Last year, 46 sites that requested cleanup funds did not receive full funding, resulting in a 45% shortfall in funding. Unfortunately, EPA's announcement does not indicate how much money sites requested for FY03 compared to what they may receive. EPA made public only the list of "new starts" - sites that will receive cleanup funds for the first time. 10 of 20 new starts will receive some funding this year. Of the 10 sites not receiving funding in FY03, 5 also did not receive funding in FY02. These include some of the nation's most toxic waste sites, Atlas Tack (MA), Continental Steel (IN), Jennison-Wright (IL), Jasper Creosoting (TX), and Hart Creosoting (TX).

EPA cleaned up only 42 toxic waste sites last year, down more than 50% from the late 1990's. Instead of polluters paying to clean up their toxic waste, taxpayers will likely pay 79 percent or more of program costs in 2004, up from 18 percent in 1996, and will pay for nearly the entire program in 2005. Superfund's original 'polluter pays' funding mechanism expired in 1995, and Superfund's trust fund, at a high of $3.6 billion in 1995, will be nearly exhausted by the end of 2004, leaving taxpayers to pay for the entire program. Former Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton all collected and supported reinstatement of the polluter pays fees, but the Bush Administration has expressed its opposition to reinstating the fees.
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[Stone_Spirits]

1. all in all

just another brick in the wall.......

[Noli Mitangere]

2. confused

Does this affect sites already on the CERCLIS or existing NPL sites? or are these 46 sites proposed NPLs?

I don't understand. The whole point of CERCLA was to set up a fund to clean up sites, and at the same time subrogate against responsible parties and others who are liable to pay for the damages/clean-up.

What do you mean the "polluter pays" mechanism expired in 1995?

[newyawker99]

3. Hi Noli Mitangere!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: