Obama's 2013 Superfund Budget

President Obama’s 2013 proposed budget was released this week. The proposed budget will reduce the Superfund program of the EPA by $37 million, which in turn most likely means a reduction of the number of sites investigated and cleaned-up by EPA next fiscal year. This author was surprised by the president’s action, but with the large deficit at hand, it is understandable. The reported amount does not alter the number of Superfund Sites on the NPL nor does it alter the process of clean-up (i.e. proposed, final, remove or delisted), only the speed of clean-up. Furthermore, the budgeted amount does not include emergencies such as sudden releases of hazardous waste where immediate clean-up actions occur to reduce the imminent potential health impact on humans and/or the environment (Unilateral Orders).