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NEWS RELEASE Committee on Energy and Commerce Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman For immediate release: Contact: Jodi Seth or Three
DOD Facilities in Direct Violation of EPA Environmental Orders Lawmakers
Write EPA Regarding DOD’s Defiance of Congress and EPA Orders Dingell noted that the EPA is the agency charged with
enforcing environmental laws and DOD’s failure to comply flies in the
face of Congressional intent and clear statutory mandates. “The EPA is the expert agency charged by Congress with
enforcing our environmental laws, and the Administration needs to allow them to
do their job to protect the public health and safety,” said
Dingell. “As the nation’s largest polluter, the Defense
Department must comply with our toxic waste laws in the same manner as private
individuals or companies. In this case we have DOD seeking to self
regulate, contrary to the law and the clear intent of Congress.” “Our armed forces are the strongest in the world, but
Pentagon lawyers should not be able to carelessly trample our environmental
protection laws,” said Green. “If these military bases were
private businesses, they would be defending themselves in front of a judge, not
appealing to the White House and the Justice Department. These three
military bases’ refusal to comply with valid EPA cleanup orders does
stand up to public scrutiny.” “It’s very disturbing that the Department of
Defense continues to ignore the EPA’s cleanup orders, thereby leaving the
public at risk to unsafe drinking water and other consequences,” said
Solis. “The EPA must be allowed to do its job and protect the
public health and safety, especially since these sites aren’t just in
remote areas, but in fast growing and densely populated ones as well.” Last year, the EPA issued four orders to Department of
Defense (DOD) facilities directing them to respond to imminent endangerment to
the public health. The orders concerned The Committee also noted that DOD has sent letters to the
Department of Justice (DOJ) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB),
challenging EPA’s authority in this area and seeking intervention and
assistance from OMB. “I find it troubling, not only that the Department of
Defense is in flagrant violation of final orders issued by the EPA, but that
DOD is now attempting to circumvent the law and Congress’ intent by
calling on the Department of Justice and the Office of Management and the
Budget to intervene,” Dingell added. To view the lawmakers’ letter to the EPA, DOD’s
letters to OMB and DOJ, as well as the status of DOD Superfund sites, visit http://energycommerce.house.gov/ -30- PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL. IF YOU
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