In the continuing struggle to force the EPA to uphold its own commitment to take full responsibility for the Gold King Mine Spill, our Republican delegation has to keep passing laws and reminding the agency to adhere to those laws.
The latest battle is over the agency’s refusal to fully reimburse communities, tribes and governments for their cost to handle the disaster caused by the EPA.
U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner and U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton issued a stern reminder to EPA Chief Gina McCarthy this week that because of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act they authored, which was signed into law by President Obama, she owes us money.
The EPA is trying to weasel out of its responsibility by setting an arbitrary deadline that conflicts with what Gardner and Tipton’s law says.
So essentially, the EPA now says it will only pay out $4.5 million of the $20.4 million it cost us to deal with their mess.
The Republican lawmakers told her to pay up, and reminded the Obama administration that there are an additional 60 tort claims still pending against them because of the spill, and urged them to get the lead out.
It is completely inadequate that our federal government has not moved forward on a single claim related to personal injury or economic loss resulting from the spill it caused over 16 months ago.
It’s time for the EPA to stop acting above the law, and hold themselves responsible for the same rules to which it holds us accountable.