House Bill Would Delay Clean-ups, Jeopardizing Public Health and Our Environment

WASHINGTON (January 9, 2014) –  The U.S. House today approved a misguided bill that would needlessly defer cleanup of toxic sites and disrupt federal work by no longer requiring many companies to carry insurance that would cover costs if their facilities become hazardous to the public.

Following is a statement on H.R. 2279 by Scott Slesinger, legislative director at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“Lacking any positive agenda, House Republicans are kicking off the new year with yet another drive to roll back health and environmental protections for the American people. This bill could delay cleaning up toxic federal facilities, free companies to pass their hazardous cleanup costs onto taxpayers, and strangle health safeguards intended to limit harmful ash drifting from steam boilers. This New Year’s gift to corporate interests is not in the public interest, and deserves no further action.”