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WHITMAN APPLAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF BROWNFIELDS LEGISLATION
Release Date: 12/21/2001
Contact Information:
Environmental News
FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, DEC. 21, 2001
WHITMAN APPLAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF BROWNFIELDS LEGISLATION
Dave Ryan 202-564-7827 / ryan.dave@epa.gov
WHITMAN APPLAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF BROWNFIELDS LEGISLATION
Dave Ryan 202-564-7827 / ryan.dave@epa.gov
EPA Administrator Christie Whitman today praised the Senate for its passage of bipartisan Brownfields legislation. Whitman said the new legislation will make the cleanup of brownfields a more effective and cooperative effort. “Revitalization of brownfields and new investment in our cities is essential. The passage of brownfields legislation by the Senate, following earlier action by the House, will considerably enhance our efforts on those fronts. Returning abandoned industrial sites to productive use can create jobs in areas where they are very much needed and also will improve the tax base of many communities,” said Whitman. “The passage of this legislation has been a top environmental priority for the administration and I look forward to continuing to work with Congress on the important issues that face us.
“Cleaning up brownfields will be more efficient with the passage of this bipartisan legislation. By differentiating between large contributors of toxic waste and small businesses who disposed of only small amounts of waste or ordinary trash, and should not be considered responsible parties, we will be reducing litigation as well as removing barriers,” said Whitman. “Today’s important action addresses many areas that were of significant importance to the President as we move forward with the assessment and cleanup of what are environmental eyesores. It recognizes the importance of our state and local partners by increasing funding and granting them more flexibility. It also assures prospective redevelopers that the federal government will not hold them responsible for past pollution at the redevelopment site. This effort, which includes small business liability reform, will bring much needed clarity to the liability section of the Superfund law.”
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