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Help Close Bush-Era Toxic Waste Loophole!
Action: Public Comments
Issue: Hazardous Waste Deadline: July 14, 2009  In its closing days of power, the Bush administration passed an eleventh-hour rule deregulating 1.5 million tons of hazardous waste. Before this change, polluters had to follow strict rules designed to keep communities safe: closely tracking hazardous waste, storing it in clearly-labeled, airtight and leak-proof containers. But not any more. Polluters around the country are lining up to take advantage of this dangerous new loophole, which allows them to turn over their hazardous waste to unlicensed fly-by-night contractors, now free to ride off into the sunset with a truckload of poison-filled waste drums and tanks. It's not hard to guess where these 1.5 million tons of hazardous waste will end up. When there are no regulations requiring safe practices at hazardous waste facilities, corners are cut. And the resulting dumping, spills and contamination of drinking water, air and soil disproportionately hurts our nation's poorest communities and communities of color. We have one chance to turn back the clock on this dangerous policy. The Obama administration has said it will re-evaluate the rule and is inviting public comments. Polluters are fighting hard to keep this rule on the books. We need to fight harder.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I am writing you today to ask you to repeal the Bush-era 'Definition of Solid Waste' rule. Hazardous waste, called by any other name is still hazardous. This Bush administration favor to industry comes at the expense of Americans who have enjoyed the benefits of safeguards meant to prevent hazardous waste spills and midnight dumping. By repealing this rule, you can promptly restore essential protections to many communities living near these thousands of hazardous waste sites. This dangerous exemption is a sore reminder of the Bush administration's assault on our nation's environmental protections. Thank you for taking the time to re-evaluate this rule and we hope you will quickly consign this policy to the reject pile once and for all.
Sincerely, |
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