Norman Mineta: “I am pleased to support the Dingell amendment to restore funding for the Superfund hazardous waste cleanup program. What…”

“I am pleased to support the Dingell amendment to restore funding for the Superfund hazardous waste cleanup program. What is the major complaint heard year after year about the Superfund program? Not enough cleanup, not enough shovels in the ground. Well, EPA heard those criticisms and rearranged the priorities of the Superfund program to assure the maximum amount of cleanup with the minimum amount of delay. Now, as EPA is continuing to increase the number of cleanups, the Appropriations Committee decides to refuse to fund those cleanups. This is not what is in the best interests of the Superfund program. And, it clearly is not what is the best interests of the people living in the vicinity of the 58 sites which will receive no cleanup should the Dingell amendment fail. There is no valid reason to hold back on the cleanup of these sites just because you believe, as we all do, that the Superfund program needs reform. The cleanups which would be restored by the Dingell amendment are EPA cleanup sites. They are sites at which the Superfund program is providing the funding for cleanup. These are not sites which would be affected by any change in the liability mechanism of Superfund. Congress may or may not determine to alter the liability mechanism of Superfund. But, liability is not an issue in the cleanup of these 58 sites. These are EPA-led sites where there is no private party involvement.”