http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/Government Report Shows EPA Fails Minority and Low-Income Communities Public Health at Risk
Posted by Pamela Leavey
September 20th, 2006 @ 3:02 am
The Office of the Inspector General (IG) released a report in which it found that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is failing to conduct environmental justice reviews of their programs, policies and activities. The report found that the EPA “cannot determine whether its programs cause disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on communities of color and low-income populations.”
MSNBC reports that “The report, dated Sept. 18 and released today by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., does not appear on the agency’s home page. ”
USA Today adds, “But the home page does tout “National Pollution Prevention Week: September 18-24″: “Reducing pollution before it ever gets to the environment is one of the most important ways to protect the environment. Learn ways individuals, families, and companies can prevent pollution and conserve resources.”"
In its response to the report, the EPA said the “agency has made concerns about environmental justice an integral part of its activities as it enforces environmental rules and issues new regulations.”
............
Senator Kerry said, “This report is further evidence that minority and low income neighborhoods that have become America’s industrial dumping grounds and this administration couldn’t care less. We will go to the mat on this. Simply put, the EPA needs to start doing its job and end this national disgrace.” Read the rest of this entry »