Obama's EPA Plans Fewer Toxic Cleanups

The New York Times ^ | August 10th, 2009 | AP

[thesearethetimes...]

For years, the Bush administration was criticized for not cleaning up enough of the nation's most contaminated waste sites. The Obama administration plans to do even less.

[thesearethetimes...]

Searched, but did not find. This surprising AP article was buried in our local paper, and I found it online to share with ya'll.

[thulldud]

They should just clean up Washington. That would be enough.

[La Lydia]

Environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and some Democratic lawmakers who highlighted how little the Bush administration did on hazardous waste cleanups are now silent. They say it's because Obama, unlike Bush, wants to address the problem that has plagued Superfund for years -- a lack of money.

No partisan agenda here, no sir-ee!

But wait. They do have a solution. The novel concept of RAISING TAXES. Then get Congress to actually use the money as the tax intended.

A tax on petroleum, chemicals and large companies once helped EPA pay for the multimillion dollar cleanups. It expired in 1995 and Superfund has been on financial life support since...Obama, unlike Bush, has called for the reinstatement of the tax in 2011. That will require action by Congress. It will also be up to Congress to set aside more money for cleanups if the tax is reinstated. In the past, when Superfund was flush in cash from the tax, Congress did not always provide more money for cleanups....

[jessduntno]

“The explanation by the Obama team is the same one put forward time and time again by Bush officials: The sites on the list have become increasingly complicated, contaminated and costly. That means it takes years for sites to reach the final cleanup stage, and as a result fewer are getting there.”

They would rather be giving $4,500 to a family in Vermont to sell their older car so they can buy a 55K dollar Volvo...

[thesearethetimes...]

Ahhhh, but THAT is our job ; } And I for one, am working to make certain the message comes through loud and clear in 2010.

Tatt

[thesearethetimes...]

I am shocked. Shocked, I tell you...

[COBOL2Java]

A tax on petroleum, chemicals and large companies once helped EPA pay for the multimillion dollar cleanups. It expired in 1995 and Superfund has been on financial life support since...Obama, unlike Bush, has called for the reinstatement of the tax in 2011.

Wow! That was awfully clever of Texas Governor George Bush to engineer the expiration of a federal tax in 1995!

[ForeignDude]

Yeah, yeah, yeah... blah, blah, blah...

Oh, God, did you see Obama’s manly pecs in the latest cover of Vanity Fair?! He’s soooooo cool...

(/sarc)

[thesearethetimes...]

This article just stunned me in it’s attempt to speak effectively out of both sides of it’s mouth, on an issue that historically has served as one of their favorite big sticks with which to bash the worthy opposition.
Not that it is unprecedented ; }

Tatt

[La Lydia]

Yes, he was a clever devil.

[green pastures]

This isn’t exactly related directly to the topic, but someone told me that in Massachusetts, if you spill even on drop of gasoline when filling up that Hazmat needs to be called out.

Mass. Freepers— is this true?

[Nachum]

The list, ping

[FromLori]

Lobbyists Spent Over $27 Million From April To June Trying To Shape The Climate Bill

http://www.businessinsider.com/lobbyists-27-million-says-cpi

[a fool in paradise]

Bush’s fault. < /sarc >

[thesearethetimes...]

Lol!!

Isn’t everything? VeryBigWink ;}

Tatt