A toxic spill in Colorado that the Environmental Protection Agency caused in August is attracting Republican critics from as far afield from the spill as the Southeast.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s subcommittee on water and the environment illustrated Wednesday that the GOP is not giving up in its pursuit of EPA as a culpable party in the spill.
Lawmakers want the agency to hold someone accountable for the Aug. 5 spill that polluted the waterways of three states, even as Democrats and Republicans appear to be working together on legislation to make sure another spill doesn’t occur.
Rep. Hugh Thompson Rice illustrated that best Wednesday. The South Carolina Republican challenged EPA assistant administrator Mathy Stanislaus, attempting to show that the EPA has not held anyone accountable for the 3 millon gallon toxic waste-water spill.
Rice also sought to illustrate the need for stronger federal bonding requirements for mines on federal lands. He argued that adequate bonding would ensure enough money was offered upfront by mining companies to make cleanup possible at places such as the Gold King Mine, where the spill originated.
Rice’s exchange got a little slap happy at times, however, with a slightly agitated Stanislaus trying to respond.
The exchange is detailed below:
Rice: “Let me ask you this: since there is no accountability in this administration, was anybody fired for this 3 million [gallon] spill of toxic chemicals into this river.”
Stanislaus: “From an accountability perspective, we have done an internal review … .” Cut off by Rice, who asked “was anybody fired?”
Stanislaus: “No.”
Rice: “Was anybody disciplined?”
Stanislaus: “Well again, so we’re waiting for an independent investigation by the Department of Interior and the Office of the Inspector General to determine whether … or not … .” Cut off by Rice, again.
On bonding:
Rice: “I wouldn’t have to give you sufficient bond? Surely to God, I would have to do that” if mining on federal property? “It’s really not a problem for new mines, is it? What about continuously open mines … , surely they have set aside money?”
Stanislaus: “I wouldn’t know that.”
Rice: “Gosh, you’re the EPA, you don’t know that!??
Stanislaus: trying to answer, but cut off. Rice: “What do you do 9 to 5? (chuckling).”
Stanislaus: “I’m sorry?”; Rice: (laughing); Stanislaus: “I’m sorry (appearing a bit agitated at hearing the remark)? I couldn’t hear you.”
Rice: (trying to compose himself) “I want to avoid this problem happening again. Surely the EPA is not going to let people open these mines and create these toxic situations without putting aside adequate reserves to close the mine.”
