For Immediate Release                                       Contact: Amanda Molk, 202-225-5256
February 25, 2003

Napolitano: EPA Must Force Polluters To Pay For Cleanup

Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA38) and Congressman David Dreier (R-CA26) called on the EPA to complete work for the cleanup of the Puente Valley Operable Unit (PVOU) federal superfund site in a letter sent today to Administrator Christine Todd Whitman. Site concerns involve contaminated groundwater underlying most of the City of Industry. “Over a year ago, we brought these concerns to the EPA, and Administrator Whitman outlined specific goals and deadlines to further this project. But these deadlines have not been met, and we have not seen enough progress,” stated Napolitano.

One of the EPA’s goals was to negotiate a judicial consent decree for the groundwater treatment remedy with a large group of polluters by March 2002. “The consent decree remains unfinished, and it is needed to commit the responsible polluters to design, build, operate and pay for a specific remedy to cleanup the groundwater underlying the City of Industry. The EPA also aimed to have the design of such a remedy completed by last September, and they continue to fall further and further behind,” explained the Congresswoman.

Napolitano and Dreier urged Administrator Whitman to do everything possible to move the cleanup process along quickly and efficiently. “The people who live and work in the City of Industry cannot wait much longer for the EPA to demand action from the polluters responsible for the contamination. These polluters must be held accountable, and I trust that the EPA will do its job and make sure that happens soon,” Napolitano said.

The Congresswoman will continue to work with Rep. Dreier to ensure that appropriate action is taken by the EPA and the polluters. “As the new Ranking Member of the House Water & Power Subcommittee, guaranteeing a clean and reliable water supply in our region is one of my top priorities. Without it, our families and businesses cannot thrive,” the Congresswoman concluded.

Representative Grace F. Napolitano, 38th District of California
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