As the new home of WashPIRG's environmental work, Environment Washington can be contacted regarding this news release.
Washington, D.C.—By
a vote of 44 to 52, the U.S. Senate rejected an amendment last night that would
have reinstated Superfund’s polluter pays fees. The amendment to the Budget
Resolution would have reestablished a dedicated funding source for cleanups
at more than 1,200 Superfund sites across the country, including 47 in Washington,
thus protecting the health of millions of people while making polluters foot
the bill for toxic waste site cleanups. The Washington Public Interest Research
Group (WashPIRG) commended Sens. Murray and Cantwell for voting to make polluters
pay.
"By voting to reinstate
Superfund’s polluter pays fees, Washington’s Senators voted to halt
a 4 million dollar per day tax holiday for polluters and to stop charging regular
taxpayers for toxic waste site cleanups," said Mo McBroom, WashPIRG staff
attorney. "Since Superfund’s trust fund went bankrupt, toxic waste
cleanups, like that at the Midnite Mine in Eastern Washington, competes with
every other government program for scarce taxpayer money," she continued
The under funding of the
Superfund Program is of special concern in Washington, where we have 47 sites
listed on the Superfund National Priorities List, as well as contamination emanating
from Superfund sites in neighboring states, such as the Coeur d’Alene Basin
mining pollution that has polluted the Spokane River.
With the bankruptcy of the Superfund, taxpayer funds must be tapped to continue
the program. In 1995, Washington taxpayers’ share of these costs was only
$7 million. In 2004, that amount will increase to $29 million.
"Sens. Murray and Cantwell
did the right thing by voting to re-instate the fees." said Mo McBroom.
"Unfortunately, not enough other members of Congress appear to understand
the need to protect the public health by ensuring adequate funding of this very
important program." she concluded.
