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Cleaning Up Hazardous Waste

 

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One in four Americans live within four miles of a Superfund toxic waste site. The major polluters that create these toxic sites are not only jeopardizing the health of millions, they are also sticking American taxpayers with the cleanup bill.  As a result, Americans are paying for toxic waste sites twice, with our health and our tax dollars. Congressman Hinchey (D-NY) and Senator Casey (D-PA) recently introduced legislation that would make polluters pay to clean up this toxic waste.

 

Overview

Toxic substances contaminate the land, air, surface waters and groundwater in communities across the country. In 1987, Congress created the Superfund to clean the nation’s worst toxic sites.

Insufficient funding jeopardizes existing Superfund cleanups and hinders the identification and assessment of new sites. In 1995, the Superfund “polluter pays” fees that once compelled large-scale polluters to provide money for Superfund cleanups expired. Lacking ample cleanup money, the EPA must prolong existing site cleanups and postpone cleanups at new sites.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina damaged chemical facilities and churned up toxic waste at Superfund sites across teh Gulf region. Unforturnately, the funding shortfalls that plague the Superfund program may hinder its ability to respond to the toxic polluiton left in the hurricane's wake.

U.S. PIRG is calling on Congress to restore the “polluter pays” fees and provide full funding for the Superfund Program.

Insufficient funding jeopardizes existing Superfund cleanups and hinders the identification and assessment of new sites.

News

Report

Empty Pockets: Facing Hurricane Katrina’s Cleanup with a Bankrupt Superfund



 
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