WASHINGTON, DC - Building off last week’s hearing, the Environment and the Economy Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), today held a second panel examining federal facility cleanups under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Today’s hearing examined the state perspective on federal facility cleanups and the fact that certain provisions of the law limit states’ ability to guide how the cleanup process may be carried out at federal facilities. The hearing also addressed the issue of the delegation of CERCLA cleanup authority to federal agencies and the potential for conflicts when the federal agencies are the potentially responsible parties and making cleanup decisions.
While there have been improvements in the relationship between federal facility cleanups and the states, Elizabeth A. Dieck, Secretary-Treasurer of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) testified, “While ECOS commends the federal agencies progress, we are concerned that there are instances where the interests of states are not being considered as thoughtfully as needed. … The state voice in cleanup decision making should be strengthened."
Bonnie Buthker, Vice President of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials added, “States must be involved in the critical decisions related to the environmental response and close-out actions at federal facilities. … Federal agencies should ensure that State costs for the regulation of federal facilities are fully reimbursed to the same extent and in the same manner as other regulated entities."
Chairman Shimkus concluded, “States have always played an important role in protecting the environment and I’m glad we were able to hear their perspective today. There have been strides made in improving the relationship between federal agencies and the states as it relates to federal facility cleanups but today’s hearing demonstrated that there’s still room for improvement."
