Washington D.C. – Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency failed to provide documents and communication the Committee requested by August 24th concerning the agency’s involvement in the Gold King Mine spill.
Chairman Lamar Smith: “It is disappointing, but not surprising, that the EPA failed to meet the House Science Committee’s reasonable deadline in turning over documents pertaining to the Gold King Mine spill. These documents are essential to the Committee’s ongoing investigation and our upcoming hearing on September 9th. But more importantly, this information matters to the many Americans directly affected in western states, who are still waiting for answers from the EPA.
“Even in the face of self-imposed environmental disaster, this administration continues to prioritize its extreme agenda over the interests and well-being of Americans. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy is currently crusading on climate change action in Japan while President Obama, who has yet to visit the areas affected by the spill, is touring the U.S. to tout EPA’s latest regulation that will do little to impact climate change and will only further burden Americans with higher electric bills. It is no wonder the majority of Americans feel Washington no longer works for them.”
Chairman Smith first requested communication and documents from the EPA in an August 10th letter. Among other things, the Committee requested documents and materials relating to the work that caused the August 5th spill, and potential risks that chemicals and toxins could pose to animals and humans. While the EPA has publicly released some documents requested by the Committee, it has failed to turn over the majority of the requested documentation to date.
The Science, Space, and Technology Committee has requested the presence of EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and the president of EPA’s contractor, Environmental Restoration, LLC, to testify at a hearing on Wednesday September 9th at 10:00am ET.
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