The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the commencement of new cleanup projects at 25 hazardous waste sites across the nation.
With $1 billion in funding, sourced from the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, these initiatives aim to address environmental contamination and facilitate economic revitalization.
The Superfund program, established in 1980, targets sites polluted by heavy industry, repurposing them for various uses such as parks and warehouses.
Janet McCabe, Deputy Administrator of the EPA, emphasizes the positive impact of this funding on communities historically burdened by pollution, with 75% of the selected sites located in such areas.
Notably, over 25% of Black and Hispanic Americans reside within close proximity to Superfund sites, highlighting the importance of remediation efforts in addressing environmental justice concerns.
In New Jersey, where Superfund sites abound, three locations, including Raritan Bay Slag in Old Bridge and Sayreville, will benefit from the allocated funds.
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey underscores the significance of reinstating the Superfund tax, ensuring corporate polluters bear the financial responsibility for cleanup efforts.
This reinstatement, coupled with the $1 billion allocation, is expected to complement future funding infusions, such as the anticipated $23 billion over five years for Superfund projects.
One such site slated for cleanup is the Northwest Pipe & Casing/Hall Process Company location in Clackamas, Oregon, where soil and groundwater contamination necessitates remedial action.
The allocated funds will facilitate the mitigation of pollutants such as solvents, primers, and coal tar, enabling the restoration of environmental quality.
