Palmer: EPA Should Hold People Accountable for Animas River Spill

For Immediate Release

Washington D.C. – Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL), a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, participated in a joint hearing between the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Natural Resources Committee on the Animas River spill, an environmental spill of contaminated mine water that was created by contractors working on the behest of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy testified at this hearing.

"The EPA needs to be held accountable for its actions," Palmer said. "Unfortunately, Administrator McCarthy does not seem inclined to hold anyone accountable. During her testimony, McCarthy indicated that the same contractors who created this disaster will continue to work for the EPA and that nobody at the EPA will lose their job as a result of this disaster. If a privately owned company had engaged in this kind of conduct, I have little doubt that the EPA would already be imposing harsh sanctions and people would lose their jobs. This double standard is a serious problem. "

Palmer previously participated in a Science, Space, and Technology Committee hearing on the Animas River spill. You can read his previous statement and watch his previous testimony here.

You can watch Congressman Palmer's questions of Administrator McCarthy, and Navajo Tribal Leaders, at the Oversight/Natural Resources hearing here:

https://youtu.be/IX9c3zk0f2s

For any additional questions, contact:

Cliff Smith, (202) 225-4921, clifford.smith@mail.house.gov

U.S. Representative Gary Palmer (R-AL) serves on three Congressional committees: Oversight and Government Reform, Budget, and Science, Space and Technology. Visit Palmer online at his website or via Facebook,Twitter, or Instagram.