NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Lawmakers Press EPA on Toxic Military Site

Pentagon’s Disregard of Environmental Orders Called “Unprecedented”

Washington, D.C. – Key Democratic lawmakers are questioning why the Department of Defense (DOD) continues to resist Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) orders to clean up toxic contamination at three military bases.

In a letter sent to EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, Reps. John D. Dingell (D-MI), the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Gene Green (D-TX), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, and Hilda L. Solis (D-CA), Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee, asked that EPA provide a full accounting of actions taken to ensure that DOD comply with its orders.

“I’m curious as to why EPA, the agency charged with enforcing our toxic waste laws, is allowing the nation’s largest polluter to blatantly defy them,” said Dingell. “Congress and the Courts have repeatedly reaffirmed the principle that DOD must comply with our toxic waste laws in the same manner as private individuals or companies.”

“Our nation’s environmental laws apply to industry and government alike, including the civilian bureaucracy at the Pentagon,” said Green.  “The Pentagon’s actions are unprecedented and the Committee wants to know exactly what steps EPA is taking to ensure DOD complies with the law.”

“The Department of Defense’s resistance to comply with these orders is a serious matter. Their actions could have a significant impact on public health and the environment,” said Solis. “I expect the Environmental Protection Agency to be fully responsive to our inquiries and to handle this matter in a manner which protects public health and the environment, not just the Department of Defense.”

In June, Dingell, Green and Solis wrote EPA regarding Ft. Meade in Maryland, McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.  In today’s letter, the lawmaker’s note that an August response from EPA failed to address what steps the agency is taking to ensure DOD’s compliance.

Read the Letter (pdf)