Superfund Underfunded By Bush Administration

Rebekah A. Hall

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of the Inspector General has reported that Superfund sites were underfunded during Fiscal Year 2003 by $174.9 million. This shortfall prevented the EPA from "beginning construction at all sites or providing additional funds needed to address sites in a manner believed necessary by regional offices," a report submitted this week to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) states.

Specific areas impacted by a lack of funds and by what amount include: new start construction project, $118.5 million; remedial projects, $40.8 million, removal projects, 9.4 million; and pipeline projects, $6.1 million.